Philosofy
1 post
Apr 18, 2008
7:30 PM
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OK, after 23 years of playing harp, I've committed to learning Whammer Jammer, and Adam's YT videos are what is going to get me there. My problem is bending that ten blow. I can get the 9 blow bend, but have some problems starting the note off in the bent position. I can do it sometimes, so I just need to practice.
But the ten blow is driving me nuts. I'm playing a Lee Oskar, and I'm wondering if I have to "tune" it. I've never meddled with my harps before. With the harps I have in front of me, I can bend the ten blow on a G harp, a B-flat, but not on the F, D, E, or A.
Does anyone have any suggestions for me?
Thanks! (And thanks to Adam for all the great lessons!)
Phil
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NG
8 posts
Apr 19, 2008
6:33 AM
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10 blow bends are easier the lower the key you play in. There is a technique covered very well in one of Dave Barrett's books that involves forcing your tongue against your bottom row of teeth so that it feels hard to touch. Start with your teeth about a 1/2 inch apart then with your tongue taut, blow and close your teeth together. You should hear a change in pitch. If you don't, try a little more pressure from your diagpram and check your pucker.
Takes a while to master but its the only way I've heard to get an effective 10 blow sufficient to playing the fancy bit at the start of Whammer Jammer in A and above.
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John
Guest
Apr 20, 2008
10:39 AM
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I use Lee Oskars for most of my playing. For playing in the key of A, I have gone to a Honer Special 20 because of its height. The L.O. is a little more square forcing me to apply more pressure on the high bends.
When bending the 10 blow, I shape my mouth like I am whistling. Small pucker, tight against the harp, and push my tongue up creating as small an opening as I need to make the bend. I also apply more air pressure to the note.
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shaneboylan
15 posts
Apr 20, 2008
11:42 AM
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I had a bit of bother a while back with that too - i find it gets easier the further you put the harp into your mouth, and put your tongue the way it goes when you say 'eeh.'
for the 'magic dick note' - try putting a deep embouchere on the 10-hole and say 'ooh-eeh.'
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Philosofy
8 posts
Apr 20, 2008
8:42 PM
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shaneboylan, that helped a lot. I can only get about a 1/4 bend, but its a start. Now I just have to get to Carnegie Hall (you know: practice, practice, practice. :))
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gregb
Guest
Apr 23, 2008
12:47 PM
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I found that to get the 10 Blow Bend on an A harp you have to narrow the 10 Draw reed gap as small as possible so the the 10 Draw almost doesn't play. I know it sounds backwards but it has worked every time for me.
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Carl_Comfort
14 posts
Apr 23, 2008
3:17 PM
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The best explanation I hear from Gussow and it worked for me..sayin 'tweet' or 'twit' or start of whith saying 'twidle' while blowing and you may hit it.on the 'dl' .try memorizing the position, amount of pressure etc. So eventually you can hit it without the normal blow and maintain it.
It is possible however, I've had, you have harp that has a 10 blow almost unpossible to bend, not to speak of sustain. You have to gap that reed, and figure that out for yourself.
There is this video of Adam doing that. The tenth reeds are of course very small, so you have to be extra careful, small changes make much difference. A scewdriver or some thing like that and a piece of paper is all you need.
Last Edited by on Apr 23, 2008 3:19 PM
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kudzurunner
39 posts
Apr 24, 2008
4:42 AM
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All of the tips above are great.
I solved this problem as a 17 year old, but started on it as a 16 year old. I was totally unable to bend the 10 blow until I soaked the harp. Just ran my Marine Band harp under a stream of water in the sink for five seconds and shook it out.
This kills the harp pretty quickly, but it's definitely a way of supercharging those high notes.
--Adam
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"The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare."
--Juma Ikaanga, marathoner
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Philosofy
12 posts
Apr 24, 2008
7:49 AM
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Adam, will that work with a plastic combed harp?
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Patrick Barker
43 posts
Apr 24, 2008
3:45 PM
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I'm pretty sure that the comb doesn't matter since the purpose of running the harp under water is to soften the reed itself and not the comb, so its actually probably better if it's plastic combed.
PS I guess you directed that question at Adam so sorry if you wanted the response from him and not me
Last Edited by on Apr 24, 2008 3:47 PM
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Philosofy
15 posts
Apr 24, 2008
6:07 PM
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No problem, Patrick. But how can water soften a brass reed?
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Patrick Barker
45 posts
Apr 24, 2008
7:34 PM
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I'm not sure but I think it has something to do with the weakening of the reed with very slight oxidization (rusting). I'm not sure, but I'm guessing that the copper that is part of the brass alloy rusts (as seen in the statue of liberty, which didn't start out green) causing the reed to be just slightly more flexible. I could be completely wrong its just a guess.
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harpmonkey
22 posts
Apr 25, 2008
5:43 PM
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The moisture disrupts/distorts the airflow enough to allow the effect to occur. (the moisture acts like a temporary valve)
Some still "spit" into the harp, or let a bit of saliva in durring a blow jsut before hitting the note.
There woulkd not be time to oxidize in a few seconds of "soaking" the harp.
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