Hi harp peeps, As most of you know, bends can be executed along with an unbent note for interesting effect--see "Hush Hush" by Corky Siegel. You can hear that particular effect Here Is anyone doing dual bends? As an example, the "V of V" chord can be played as an arpeggio with draw bends--draw 1, half step draw bend 2, whole step draw bend 3. Anyone playing the dyad of draw-bent holes 2 and 3 as a chord? As, for example, on a C harmonica, F# on draw 2 and A on draw 3? Is it even possible? Hey Winslow, can YOU do it? That is all for now, don't forget to vote on November 28th.
Last Edited by Gnarly on Nov 21, 2016 8:58 PM
For instance, in second position on the V chord I might bend Draw 2 down a semitone and Draw 3 down 2 semitones. On a C harp that'd be F# and A, both parts of the D chord (the V chord in G). Or i'll play 2-semitone bends on both holes, for F and A. That can be used for a whole variety of partial chords.
Here's a recording I did awhile back using both an Eb harp and a Bb harp, both played in first position (the tune changes keys). On the Eb harp you can hear me playing bent combinations - and those same notes played as warbles.
In case you're wondering, it's a Canadian fiddle tune called the Two-Step Polka, by Ward Allen.
I also sometimes play bent octaves, like in this clip at last year's Harmonica Collective, where I play an octave of Draw 5 with bent Draw 2, starting at about 0:45:
Sometimes I slowly release the bend to holding both notes unbent to extend the tension, or move to a Blow 3-6 octave to relieve the tension.
Lately on the Lucky 13 I've been bending octaves in Draw 3/Low 3 and Draw 2/Low 2. You can hear it if you listen carefully in the "Diving Riff" clips I posted a few months back.
Thank you Winslow, I thought you might be the "go to" guy on this one. I spend most of my time trying to "master" the chromatic, but short harp gets you more chicks. And bending does it easier than anything. Most grateful for your experience and knowledge. Gary
I was able to make this happen-- On a C harmonica, I whistled the note on draw 1 (D), then played holes 2 and 3. And the two notes were F# and A. Pretty darned cool. Now how can I make big money using this technique. I will have to get back to you.
PS I guessed that the only way I could manifest the double bend would be by creating the vocal resonance of the third note of the chord. So this technique could ostensibly be used to create a few different double bends.
