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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
tapping, 3 hole draw, gapping tip
tapping, 3 hole draw, gapping tip
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arron
3 posts
Feb 03, 2015
12:26 PM
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hey guys. i'm on my lunch hour so thought i'd combine a couple of subjects in one post.
first, i cannot tap my foot and play the harmonica at the same time--and i always thought of myself as "coordinated". i spent a couple hours last night trying to find tips on how to practice this but mostly found stuff related to strumming a guitar and tapping. i have a metronome app too but that's not helping. any tips for how to get better coordinated?
second, finally i am able to get some bending action out of the 3 draw--i'm not getting all the possible notes but the pitch is moving so i'm excited about that. the only problem is that in order to get some movement i had to close the gap on the draw reed and close the gap on the blow reed so far that occasionally it (3 blow) is getting stuck so that i don't get a sound out of the 3 blow, or there's quite a hesitation (i tried gapping it according to an article by winslow yerxa that i read). if i open further either of the reeds i get no bending at all. i'm guessing the solution is to get better at my 3 draw bending so that i could open the 3 blow gap a little and still be able to bend. so i'm just looking for confirmation that it is probably still technique at issue--but if i'm missing something about the gapping i'd be happy to try something else.
lastly, i just wanted to share a tip i learned that i found very helpful (although you guys probably already know it). i can't remember where i read it but, when gapping instead of taking both screws out of the cover plate to access the reeds, take out one screw and loosen the other one so you can just swing the cover plates out of your way. that way after you have gapped you can swing the plates back into position to try it out. so much easier than taking both screws out and trying to get the plates back into place. take care and have a great day even if your 3 hole aint working the way it's suppose to.
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Harmlessonica
54 posts
Feb 04, 2015
3:06 AM
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Hi arron
3 posts in one, eh? Smart way to avoid 3 separate captcha codes... :)
It was good to read your post as you seem to be on a similar playing level to myself.
Tapping...
My guess is you're concentrating hard on your technique, and your brain has fewer CPU processing cycles (!) to also coordinate foot tapping. I don't really tap my foot personally, but do find that when I'm enjoying my playing I tend to tap without thinking. In other words, concentrate on your harmonica technique first, and the tapping coordination will naturally follow.
Bending...
My personal opinion is to gap only if you feel you're not able to play straight (without bending) for some reason. If you modify the reeds for optimal bending, you may be compromising their performance elsewhere.
Bear in mind also that sometimes a reed can stall when attempting to bend. This happens when you're close to the point of the bend but not quite there. So that 'hesitation' you mention might be a good sign.
Most likely you will have to practise and experiment some more to decide for yourself.
Cover Plates Tip...
I've always been worried about losing my harmonica screws, so occasionally just keep one in loosely as you say. You just have to be careful not to snag any reeds when you swing out the cover plates.
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KingoBad
1600 posts
Feb 04, 2015
4:42 AM
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1. I am assuming that you do not have any musical training in your background, because learning to tap your foot would probably have been part of it. Learning some music theory will probably help you here - at least understanding quarter notes. You should probably just start by tapping your foot to your favorite songs without playing first...
2. I'd be very careful about gapping. While it does correct gaps that do not allow bending, you are having a technique issue. The notes should always play freely and not be ready to choke at a moments notice. You also didn't mention what type of harmonica. Sometimes you can start with an inferior product and your success may be limited (although unlikely - this issue is most likely you).
3. I see no advantage to leaving the cover plates attached. You will need to test the playability of your gapping. While you may temporarily replace the cover plates to play the note (I don't), this would just make an ungainly mess. However, I suppose with nimble hands and experience it could work, but I wouldn't suggest it.
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Danny
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eetechTom
1 post
Feb 04, 2015
9:10 AM
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Maybe start tapping your foot when just listening to any music similar to what you are playing would help.
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WinslowYerxa
773 posts
Feb 04, 2015
9:41 AM
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Tapping while listening is a good passive start. Then try saying a syllable like "dah" on each beat while tapping. Then replace the "dah" with a harmonica chord. The vocalize a basic shufffle rhythm: "daaah-dah, Daaah-dah," etc. Transfer that to the harmonica, changing breath direction between blow and draw for each "Daaah-dah."
Then try vocalizing riffs like the "I'm a Man" or "Hoochie Coochie" or "On the Road Again" riff. When you can vocalize a riff while tapping, try transferring it to the harmonica. Do it first at a slow but steady tempo.
For bending a draw reed, you're better of setting the draw reed slightly higher, not lower. A reed gets pulled closer and closer to the reedplate the lower you bend it. Setting it higher gives it more travel before it stops springing back and chokes out. The blow reed that contributes to the draw bend will rise higher and higher, as you raise the pitch, so setting it low can help.
===========
Winslow
Check out my blog and other goodies at winslowyerxa.com
Harmonica For Dummies, Second Edition with tons of new stuff
Deepen your playing at the Harmonica Collective
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timeistight
1689 posts
Feb 04, 2015
11:28 AM
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From Joe Filisko's Harmonica Insights (http://www.filiskostore.com/files/1900363/uploaded/INSIGHTS.pdf:RHYTHM, GROOVE and the SWAY - The rhythm & groove of the song rules in blues. Keeping the groove is more important than trying to play the right notes.
Train your body to "sway" from side to side like you are walking along with the rhythm of the music. If you can walk with rhythm, you can learn to play with rhythm. If someone were to plug their ears and watch you, they should be able to feel the tempo of the song. If this is too difficult for you to do, then that is even greater evidence that you NEED to be working on it.
Watch yourself playing in front of a mirror. Only tap your feet if you can do it in the groove, otherwise it could be a distraction to other musicians.
Video your feet to see if you are a skillful foot tapper and make the metronome your friend.
BENDING - Bending is one of the most expressive sounds that the harmonica can make but, bending does not
necessarily equal blues. Most bending is quite advanced. I have observed numerous ambitious beginners develop VERY bad playing habits from trying to force bends. If you are not making music on the unbent notes, you may not be ready to incorporate bending. Becoming masterful can take years of practicing. (see bending insights http://www.filiskostore.com/files/1900363/uploaded/Bending%20Insights08062013.pdf)
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STME58
1174 posts
Feb 04, 2015
1:12 PM
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If you want to be a musician and you can't tap your foot to the music, maybe you should just take a hike!
I don't mean give up and go away, but literally pick up your instrument and go for a walk while playing. Let the natural rhythm of walking help maintain a constant tempo. Left foot on the downbeat, right foot on the back beat and off you go. 120 BPM is a good tempo for this. You might even want to use a metronome with a headset to keep you on tempo.
If you never get it down, all is not lost. There is a member of a group I play with who can play in time, but does not tap his foot on the beat. We adjust our music stands so we can not see his foot, lest it mess us up!
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