Georgia Blues
13 posts
Feb 17, 2013
11:39 AM
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OK I've been happily playing blues for years, but am just now trying to get over blows in my toolbox. I can control and sustain all my draw bends, get blow bends in 7,8, and 9. But I want more. And that's where I'm stuck. Starting to think I have a disability. Can't get em to kick in no matter what I try. Can't decide whether I suck, or they blow.
Somebody gotta help me, Can't do it all by myself!
A
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Sherwin
24 posts
Feb 17, 2013
11:59 AM
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A, howdy, there is a lot of good stiff to read, you've probably seen some of it, and the Jason Ricci videos on the subject.
Why not take your least favourite harp and take it apart. Push all the reeds so that there is no gap between reed and plate, both blow and draw plates. What you will have is a harp that will only play overblows/overdraws and bends. You will get the chance to hear yourself play an over bend, and harp can later be raggapped for normal playing.
Good luck.....Sherwin
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The Iceman
745 posts
Feb 17, 2013
12:00 PM
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1. need to gap the harmonica reeds (plenty of info out there on how to do this)
2. focus point for exhale breath is a compressed type of air stream aimed at the "K" spot on the roof of your mouth - you will need just a bit more diaphragm support with a quick impulse to start.
hint: pretend there is an itch at the back of the roof of your mouth and use your tongue curled up to scratch it (tip of tongue rolled under). Here is the area where you need to find the "sweet spot" along with the proper compressed air flow out to achieve OB.
Hole 6 is a good place to start.
I teach and am located along SE Coastal GA - perhaps you are within striking range?
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The Iceman
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Greyowlphotoart
1119 posts
Feb 17, 2013
12:09 PM
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I remember only too well the frustration of not being able to play overblows!
I have put up a video on youtube explaining how to play an overblow on hole 6 as this is the hole on which I managed to play my first overblow.
There is nothing new in my explanation I’m simply passing on the tip that helped me most. It is based on playing an overbend or blow bend on hole 7 and transferring that down to hole 6
LINK
Good luck!
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Grey Owl YouTube
Grey Owl Abstract Photos
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Georgia Blues
14 posts
Feb 17, 2013
2:26 PM
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Thank you gentlemen! I appreciate the advice!
A
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jimbo-G
152 posts
Feb 17, 2013
2:39 PM
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Take the 6d on your A or Bb bend it all the way down, then blow. I found this to work well. I find that the position of my tounge for a deep bend is almost the same for a overblow, once you have it try sustain it and get the muscle memory workin, then t4y bending it up and down. Good luck!!
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Martin
246 posts
Feb 17, 2013
3:01 PM
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Just about any of the standard full price harps (Hohner, Seydel, LO etc) can be overblown without any messing with gapping. I do it all the time.
You may have trouble SUSTAINING the OB, that´s one thing, but finding it there is no bigger drama.
Preferably use C, D, Eb and such -- in my opinion the easiest tools to work with at the outset.
I´ve gapped I believe ... four harps in my life. Broke reeds on two of them and am since rather wary of that operation (probably a simple one for a non-klutz). I can´t afford custom made instruments, so have to rely on factory settings. Handmade S20´s, and GM´s are generally the best in my experience this far.
/Martin
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RyanMortos
1406 posts
Feb 17, 2013
5:40 PM
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What helped me the most was taking the covers off the harmonica. Then I covered the blow reed with my top lip. Then I just blew and blew with different embouchures until I got an overblow. I practiced this a bunch then I put the covers back on the harp & worked to reproduce the effect.
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~Ryan
See My Profile for contact info, etc.
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