bd
1 post
Sep 05, 2008
1:15 AM
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Hi there.
Was fartassing around on youtube a couple of weeks ago and came across Sonny Boy Williamson's Bye Bye Birdie, got hooked, bought a harp, found Gussow and the practice is going well.
One question though. On the 2nd and third draw I seem to have to move a hell of a lot more air than any of the other holes, and blow 3 on the G harp (Hohner Blues) and 2 and 3 on the C harp (Hohner) aren't as sharp and clear as the others. I know I am new to this whole damned thing, but i can't help wondering if it is all me or if the harps are somehow faulty. I'm not even talking about bends either. Is this normal?
Cheers!
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DutchBones
22 posts
Sep 05, 2008
3:19 AM
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Hi bd, this is a common problem with beginners, no need to worry though. You might want to use the Search Forum function (menu,bottom left) because various people have given already some excellent advice/suggestions to get over this hurdle,
just type in " 2 draw problems " and read "Need some help here!" that'l put you on your way.
Hope this helps,
Good Luck!
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Oisin
9 posts
Sep 05, 2008
3:24 AM
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Perfectly normal! 3 hole draw is normally not too bad but 2 hole draw is the hardest note to get right and bending it will take a lot of practice.
Keep at it though as it's probably the most important note and you WILL get it eventually. Just try a few different breathing techniques and draw softly at first.I think every harp player has trouble with 2 draw when they start. DON'T GIVE UP!!
Oisin
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Chris Michalek
Guest
Sep 05, 2008
6:13 AM
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Practice sucking through a straw where the straw is as vertical as you can get it. If you can get a full stream of air through the straw, you mouth will be in the correct position to get these notes. You'll get bent notes using this method too.
With all of the beginners I have taught - I mean rank beginners all of them leave the first session able to blow/draw all notes bend/overblow all notes.
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LittleJoeSamson
57 posts
Sep 05, 2008
11:08 PM
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That's too cool Chris... I use the straw sucking example for my students, too.
Some just can't get an embouchure without it!
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Chris Michalek
Guest
Sep 06, 2008
4:49 AM
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the straw really works. I kinda kept it a secret for years (about 15yrs) but then decided it's not nice to share such a wonderful tool.
When I was at SPAH last month, I got 20 maybe 30 people to get their first OB in less than 30 seconds. I'm not exaggerating! Of there were a couple of exceptions but for the most part it worked well.
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salmon
Guest
Sep 06, 2008
9:01 AM
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This comes up quite a lot. I had similar problems with a Lee Oskar but all the suzukis I've had have been fine on 2 and 3 draw. I wonder how many people give up due this?
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Wildfire
4 posts
Sep 08, 2008
7:18 AM
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I'm sure Adam does a great video on the 2 hole draw??
I am still a newbie, but I practiced and practiced and practiced on my C Harp and now it's not so bad.
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bluzlvr
56 posts
Sep 08, 2008
1:21 PM
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Wildfire:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5Gcchw5rkM
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New_B
31 posts
Sep 08, 2008
4:36 PM
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Will that straw technique help me to achieve the 8-10 hole blow bends?
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