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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

3-hole dip

2 replies [Last post]
Fri, 03/28/2014 - 03:49
ungar
ungar's picture
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Level 6
Joined: 09/19/2013

Hi.

Up till now, I haven't paid too much attention to the starting point of my dips, but I've begun noticing that, on the 3-hole dips, it tends to be closer to the hole-step bend than to the half-step.  Especially on higher-pitched harmonicas, where that half-step bend involves such a very slight movement of tongue and lips, it's hard to hit that bend when I know I'm going to be leaving it immediately.  Especially when I want to articulate it, it automatically comes out a hole-step bend. 

Listening to you playing The Strut, 3rd chorus, I hear a clear articulation on your 3-hole dip (over the IV chord).  So I guess my question is:  does it really matter where you start the dip from? 

 

Thanks

Daniel

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Fri, 03/28/2014 - 07:14
#1
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Answer

Hello Daniel. The main thing is that is sounds musical to you. Going a little bit lower than Bb is generally fine. If it goes too low (between A and Ab), it sounds strange. A dip on the 2 draw sounds nice down to the 2" (the 2" is more bluesy sounding than the 2'), so the half step depth is just a general rule of thumb.

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Fri, 03/28/2014 - 10:25
#2
ungar
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Level 6
Joined: 09/19/2013
That's reassuring; thanks. 

That's reassuring; thanks. 

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