Zadozica
20 posts
Feb 18, 2011
5:50 AM
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I noticed that with the iStrobosoft tuner than the tone variation that I get is not very steady and it is hard for me to lock in the tuner. As a result I was thinking that I needed to practice my breath control in order to obtain good results on the tuner.
That in turn that is leading me to think that I need to practice my overall breath control so that I get a consistent stream of air that does not vary in pressure.
Does this make sense?
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barbequebob
1553 posts
Feb 18, 2011
7:11 AM
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Breath control is a VEEEERRRRY important technique to learn, not only for tuning, but for playing as well and the average player tends to completely ignore this. Without breath control, you have crappy tone, as well as ZERO tone control and tonal variety, find yourself getting frequently very winded, easily able to blow out harps at a rapid rate, and that's just the beginning.
Again, it's NOT just with the tuning aspect.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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Zadozica
21 posts
Feb 18, 2011
3:38 PM
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Thank you BBQBob.
I am going to work on that with the tuner as my guide.
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thechangingcolors
36 posts
Feb 18, 2011
5:31 PM
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yeah but its not even that hard. its like learning to breath slowly and steadily, like meditating
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Zhin
626 posts
Feb 21, 2011
8:18 PM
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You hit the nail on that one Bob.
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http://www.youtube.com/harmonicazhin
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barbequebob
1565 posts
Feb 22, 2011
8:12 AM
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One thing I recommend to every harp player to learn better breath control is to go to a qualified vocal coach and get some breathing lessons from them. In fact, you really should go for the vocal lessons as well because the better coaches, before you even get started, are gonna check your breathing and relaxation habits because they're EXTREMELY important in order to get the best possible tone, projection and resonance and all of that has to be working together as a whole or your voice is gonna be a mess and you can actually cause damage to youir vocal chords or get nodes on them. Once you get that down, the tuner won't be as necessary and you'll be glad you did and trust me, everything about your harp playing will improve in a big way.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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chromaticblues
626 posts
Feb 22, 2011
9:29 AM
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I know another way Bob. Start using expensive custom made harmonicas. After you blow a few out your should figure it out on your own! LOL
All kidding aside. It really is a good method. One of my first good harps I built for myself took me two minutes to blow out the draw 2. For about a year I thought Marine Bands sucked. I spent all that time building these harps and I was ruining them faster than I could make them.
My problem was I was using stock MB's and these harps I was making and they were so much different I was blowing them out like crazy.
Something to think about is try using harps that are consistant from one to the next and then figure out the breath control to play those harps. Its trial and error. After you ruin a couple you'll know how far you can push it!
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Buzadero
734 posts
Feb 22, 2011
10:12 AM
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You can train yourself also.
Go outside and run a quick sprint. Come back inside and try to play your harp as quietly as you possibly can and still hit the bends, overblows etc. Quiet, like you're in the same room as a sleeping baby, but with accuracy.
Breath control.
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~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
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chromaticblues
627 posts
Feb 22, 2011
10:17 AM
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I don't like to run. It makes me tired!
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ElkRiverHarmonicas
569 posts
Feb 22, 2011
12:16 PM
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----------Watch opera singers on youtube. I've learned a lot from watching opera singers.
"There are only two things money can't buy - true love and homegrown tomatoes." - Lewis Grizzard
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toddlgreene
2640 posts
Feb 22, 2011
12:31 PM
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Chromatic-running's much easier when someone is chasing you. Piss off a stray dog, and you'll get into marathon shape fast.
Since joining this forum, and much influenced by the pleadings of BBq Bob, one thing I add to practice time is playing acoustically with just enough breath to move the reeds, and with the same embouchere-not just with the harp lightly to my lips. The dynamics and control I've gained have been a huge plus to my playing.
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Todd
my moderator username is Admin007
Eudora and Deep Soul
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groyster1
879 posts
Feb 22, 2011
1:06 PM
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"playing acoustically with just enough breath to move the reeds" thanks todd for the words of wisdom-believe that not only will help playing but also easier on the harp
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blueswannabe
91 posts
Feb 23, 2011
12:33 AM
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Here is an article I just found on breath control.
http://www.vocalist.org.uk/breath_control.html
THere is also a whole section on breathing exercises.
@BBQBOB, does that look right to you?
Last Edited by on Feb 23, 2011 12:37 AM
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barbequebob
1568 posts
Feb 23, 2011
8:13 AM
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Blueswannabe --- It's a very good start with good info but it can be easily expanded upon. Most people NEVER learn to breathe from the diaphragm and going for the full vocal lessons will teach you that and when you begin to learn it, they will make you use at the same time, doing it in different parts of your vocal range, and since most people RARELY ever use it, I can guarantee that it will be VERY sore for at least 3-6 weeks, minimum until it gets used to being used.
Most people only use the top third of their actual lung capacity and expel the air far too quickly and here's where the lessons will help you out.
Too many players suck their gut in when they play the draw notes, which is essentially military style breathing but for BOTH vocals and harmonica, THIS IS THE DUMBEST THING TO DO!!!!! Why?? It's because you're causing stomach muscles, lungs, air passages to contract, which is something you NEVER want happening and all you accomplish is finding an easier way to get totally winded, unable to play or sing resonantly, lose control, lose projection, and thin out your tone VERY badly.
It's like watching a plumber with a gut hanging 2 feet over his belt buckle despite the help on high priced suspenders trying to look more "hunky" when he sees a hot looking woman and he will never succeed in doing that no matter what and he jsut makes a total idiot out of himself.
Learning good breathing skills is part of learning good playing skills and when both are working in sync, you are able to have a bigger, fatter tone (and all these harp mods and gear becomes nothing but an unneccessary joke), you gain total control of what you're doing, you'll never feel winded again, and you will finally be able to play resonantly.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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Jeffrey van Kippersl
19 posts
Feb 24, 2011
5:50 AM
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Playing didgeridoo works perfect, itll only work, circulair breathing, when diaphram support is maintained.
Yoga excersise like kapalbhati or anuloma viloma, see youtube, work even better, they will teach you the capacity without worrying about the harmonica or vocals, allowing you, in my expirience, to get the diaphram working deeper and faster.
Off course next to vocalexcersise.
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