, Just improvizing on the T Ford track, I would very much welcome suggestions , criticism or tips, I need them;), this is where Im at, but hopefully I can improve Steve
Nicely done, Steve. A couple of things I'd say about your technique. You, like me, seem to have the habit of playing with our head down. Some methods - including Doc Gussow's - advise against this. I think the rationale is that it restricts your windpipe and makes throat vibrato more difficult to do well.
The other thing - and I'm baffled why most books on the subject don't point this out - is that you will probably find it easier to beef up your tone if you play with your cupping hand's thumb around the front of the harp, resting on your face; just leave it in a more or less fixed position. You can see a lot of pros and advanced players on YouTube who play like this. Paul Lamb, Madcat Ruth and Lee Sankey all sping to mind. Put your thumb there, play a long, held 2 draw, and move your thumb away. You'll see what I mean.
EDIT: you might find that, with the way you're playing, your thumb is partly forming the seal that gives you a wah wah. So moving it round the front may mean adjusting your cup. Look at the Doc's Holding the harp vid - I think it's at around 43 or 44 in his YouTube vids - if my meaning isn't all that clear.
Head up, shoulders back. Your brain is working well, but your throat seems constricted - particularly with your bends.
Relax, you should feel the air connection from your harp to your lungs (almost a tugging sensation). Try over widening your embouchure and bring it back to just enough to cut off the rest of the notes. That should start to fatten things up.
The growl was great, but you were too tense to move into the warble. Again just relax.
You also may have felt the camera pressure, so I may be speaking to your nerves here, but i figure you gotta produce under pressure anyway.
Still, a nice job. I'm just being picky 'cause you asked.
thanks Mick & Kingo ,, this is the kinda feedback I need. Im gonna get my head up, try the hand in front {gotta watch that vid} I feel like I have a very limited lick vocabulary. The growl is my fav. thing LOL But Ill work on that too. thanks for yalls help. Steve
Nice playing! I like your phrasing - you're not playing all over the place for the sake of it. As for the lick vocabulary, you can get more out of what you've got by repeating certain ideas - it'll also give the piece more unity. Check out David Barrett's 'Improvising blues harmonica' book - I've found it a massive help.
