Skalbal
4 posts
Apr 11, 2012
4:09 PM
|
Hey guys I'm a brand new player and need your help. I have just bought some new harps, as I blew out the four hole draw on my last one, and again the high notes don't play well. They squeal and it almost sounds as if the opposite reed (when I blow or draw)is trying to sound as well. If I take the time and play them slowly one by one I can get them to sound clear but not when I am trying to play them at any speed. I don't know if this is a breath control or gapping problem. Any help would be much appreciated.
|
Willspear
135 posts
Apr 11, 2012
4:30 PM
|
To much front of the mouth force would be my guess.
Try dropping your jaw and breathing deep but not hard. Think like you are taking air into your gut and breathing out from there.
I had this same issue and it was
mostly an issue of shallow forced attacks. Aka not breathing from the diaphragm.
Playing to hard mostly from the mouth will kill harps fast.
My way of working on the upper end was starting to try and get the deepest sweet chord you can and just slightly varying embouchre to pull the single notes out. Forcing the harp through a tight pucker is a fast way to blocking reeds and not getting anything musical.
Honestly I got much better by breathing through the harp deeply in time. Breathing in for 4 beats then out for 4 and then mixing up patterns and doing the same. Then working up single notes the same way. This also works for cleaning up the 2 hole draw
If your tongue blocking same applies deep breathing and dropped jaw.
Last Edited by on Apr 11, 2012 4:35 PM
|
ElkRiverHarmonicas
842 posts
Apr 11, 2012
4:39 PM
|
Try playing a lower key harp. Maybe a G or lower
----------
David
Elk River Harmonicas
Elk River Harmonicas on Facebook
"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato." - Lewis Grizzard
"Also, drinking homemade beer." - David Payne
|
Skalbal
5 posts
Apr 11, 2012
4:54 PM
|
Thank you guys. Advice from both parties worked great although to make sure I'm gonna nail them on the high harps when I want I'm gonna have to do a lot of breath control and diaphragm breathing practice.
|
ElkRiverHarmonicas
846 posts
Apr 11, 2012
6:34 PM
|
Wait you mean the blow reed wants to do stuff when you are drawing and vice versa? Is that what you are saying? If so, I want you to describe this more, please.
----------
David
Elk River Harmonicas
Elk River Harmonicas on Facebook
"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato." - Lewis Grizzard
"Also, drinking homemade beer." - David Payne
|
Skalbal
6 posts
Apr 11, 2012
6:45 PM
|
It was happening but not so much any more. I can only assume the reason that was happening is because when my notes weren't sounding right I started adjusting my mouth too much, trying to get it to sound right. But I switched to some of my lower harps and it sounds good. Not happening on the higher harps as much anymore either as I tried relaxing when playing them. But if i try play any sort of tune using those notes I can't maintain the sound anymore. I am sure that will come with practice.
I actually had one more question as well and I've searched the net but can't find the right answer. What is the head of a song? I guess a riff would be like a solo and a head is just the overall background to the melody? I feel silly asking this one.
Last Edited by on Apr 11, 2012 6:56 PM
|
K_Hungus
115 posts
Apr 11, 2012
7:36 PM
|
You can also try to play high notes on higher harps tongue blocked, not necessary to learn to play tongue blocked, But that way you can get a better feeling to draw less from the front.
@Saklbal I thought the main riff is the same as the head of a song, don't take my word for it
|
Skalbal
7 posts
Apr 11, 2012
7:47 PM
|
I've been trying tongue blocking and strangely enough I found I can do it quite well with the exception of what I would usually refer to as tonguing notes. As in playing two or more of the same notes in a row. I have not yet figured out how to create that divide in between notes. I know the trick cant but just to stop and start breathing because that sound as sharp to me.
Last Edited by on Apr 11, 2012 8:01 PM
|
Willspear
136 posts
Apr 11, 2012
7:48 PM
|
Lead in or signature riff/lick. So knowing the opening riff of juke just to mention that track on another thread. It's what sets the vibe of the tune. Knowing the defining lick keeps the tune grounded despite any improvisation. So when I play or attempt to play juke I play the recognizable opening and try to go from there.
Knowing the lead in and any emphasis that is in the original keeps it grounded. So for me it's the emphasis on the 2 draw in a certain way.
Knowing how to vary the lick but keep a similar feel is great too. I try to play it somewhere in between tge alternate and regular version generally as I like the alternate more as it fits how I play better.
Atleast that is my take on the concept
I am not a big time pro or little Walter expert
I tongue lock the upper octave aside from hole ten bends generally. I like octaves on the upper end. Bending depends I feel most confident lipping them and bending in the throat.
Last Edited by on Apr 11, 2012 7:59 PM
|
K_Hungus
116 posts
Apr 11, 2012
8:10 PM
|
I was talking about playin single notes on the high end tongue blocked. You need a good seal, so your tonge blocks the lower end and your lip blocks the higher end. Placing the harp more towards your cheeck may help to get a single notes.
Getting the higher notes easy just takes time, to draw more gently and consitent.
|
Skalbal
8 posts
Apr 11, 2012
8:17 PM
|
Ya I understood what you were saying and when I tried tongue blocking those notes they instantly became clear. Although I can't tongue block yet when playing at any speed and as my earlier post stated I do not know how to create a division between two of the same notes in a row while tongue blocking. I'm having tons of fun and putting in lots of work though so it'll all come to me over time. Thanks as well Will for explaining that for me.
Last Edited by on Apr 11, 2012 8:33 PM
|
K_Hungus
118 posts
Apr 11, 2012
8:40 PM
|
Okay I wasnt sure whether I understood, nice you got it goin! Trying to tongue block everything is vry challenging/frustrating. Just focus on gettin clear notes in the upper octave however you do it.
|
