2 Draw and 3 Blow
Hello David,
im a beginner, just finished "walk with me". Im working right now on solo harmonica 1 and 2. I have notice that in the beginner study, i have not checked with the more advanced study, you use allot of the 3 blow instead of the 2 draw. My guess is that its easier on the breathing at this level.
Since i was playing for a few months before with pucker, i kinda force myself to do the 2 draw instead, i dont want to get a bad habbit of playing 3 blow, i fear that learning the riffs this way will train me to always do it this way.
On solo harmonica 1 exercice 1.5 i have difficulty doing the 2 draw over the 3 blow. Maybe its the low key of the harmonica, it just cannot give me the speed i need to play the riff at a faster speed.
My understanding is that in second position its better to use the 2 draw for the tone and the possibility that the hole offer(bends, slaps, chords ect..).
My question is what is the advantages of the 3 blow? Is it better to use it when you use the 2 blow for speed issue? Should i only use the 2 draw if i can handle the breathing?
Im not sure if you covered this on a lesson already.
Thanks
Ill stick with whats on the paper.
I was getting all mixed up trying to change what was written on the music sheet.
I tough that 2 draw was always better.
Thank you for the clarification
Very good question!
1) I write/play which hole sounds best for the passage... that trumps all. In this case, 3+ is mostly used because it works and sounds best in these passages.
2) When you're playing with more bends, yes, 2 draw is used more commonly.
3) 3+ is a great choice when you need to get rid of air. It also sounds a little softer than a 2 draw and if using a slap you get a little more of a chord. It's used in "Gary's Blues" [TB Study 3] because it sounds best for the traditional style the song plays.
4) Don't worry about messing yourself up... always play what sounds best... the lick you study, with the 2 or 3+ in it, is the way you play it when it pops up in your improvising. So, if you study a cool lick that uses a 2 and then a 2", that's the way you'll play it if it pops up in your improvising... the same for 3+ usages.