Philippe
57 posts
Jan 01, 2011
6:14 PM
|
Apologies if this has been covered before.. I have trouble getting accurate bending (and even a 1/2 bend) on harps Ab and G. Should I work on technique or is there something that I can do to the 3 draw reed?
(using SP20s)
|
nacoran
3530 posts
Jan 01, 2011
6:24 PM
|
Technique! I think that's the answer. I don't recall any suggestions for how to adjust reeds to bend more accurately, or maybe it's one of those top secret final secrets for customizers.
----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
|
hvyj
970 posts
Jan 01, 2011
6:45 PM
|
To hit the low draw bends on lower key harps it is necessary to open the throat--as if you were in the middle of a yawn. Do this correctly and the pitch will drop.
|
saregapadanisa
316 posts
Jan 01, 2011
6:49 PM
|
I've always found low harps easier to bend. But maybe (?)they need a little more air to do so, i.e. a better control of your air colum to bend and sustain your bend.
|
walterharp
513 posts
Jan 01, 2011
6:53 PM
|
there is a bit of gapping.. you can tighten up the blow reed a bit and loosen the draw some. no need for the 3 over blow, so no worries about the 3 draw being too open. embossing and having an air tight harp help a bit, but all said and done, technique is the most important.
|
HarpNinja
910 posts
Jan 01, 2011
7:16 PM
|
Walter is right on. Essentially there are many ways to make a harp more efficient, but technique is king. That being said, gapping and such can make it easier on said whole. Even on a low f, a good harp shouldn't be too hard. If anything, whole one is the hardest.
Many players struggle with 3 because they play 1 and 2 out of tune by pulling the note all the way down. Personally, I bend with my tongue. Find the right shape and keep hitting it. I am typing via phone but will try to be nore helpful when I get to the computer.
----------
Mike
Quicksilver Harmonicas
|
hvyj
972 posts
Jan 01, 2011
7:45 PM
|
I bend with my throat, not my tongue. But either way, you can sub vocalize vowel sounds to help hit draw bends on pitch.
Half step bend = eww /Whole step bend = oh /Step and a half bend = ahh
As HarpNinja says, if you bend all the way to the "floor" of the bend you will be way too flat. In order to bend to correct pitch you don't go all the way down.
|
Philippe
59 posts
Jan 02, 2011
5:51 AM
|
Thank you all for your input!
hvyj, thanks for the example, it helps.
I'll grab my G harp and practice the heck out of it.
|
