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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Amplified Shakes

3 replies [Last post]
Sun, 11/29/2015 - 07:27
curciopaul@gmail.com
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Joined: 06/09/2013

Dave, I've watched your FAQ on shakes. Very helpful. 

 

My question is, what happens to your cup when you shake when amplified?  Do you hold it or let it go?

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Sun, 11/29/2015 - 07:50
#1
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hold it. I like to cup it

Hold it. I like to cup it even tighter to get a more bassy and muted tone. Sometimes I'll relax my cup and open it in the back a bit (still holding the bullet with both hands) to get a much brighter sound. Both of these tone changes are used for dynamic purposes.

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Sun, 11/29/2015 - 15:20
#2
BCurtis
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Teacher 3Level 8
Joined: 08/31/2013
Getting a clean shake amplified

In a similar vein of the topic, I can play a clean shake acoustically however it becomes more difficult amplified. I am more accustomed to moving the whole harmonica back and forth. With the added mass of the microphone I cannot seem to move it back and forth with the harmonica consistently. Should I try to work on the head movement shake, or are there other ways to improve my shake with the added microphone?

Thanks

Brian

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Sun, 11/29/2015 - 15:23
#3
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello Brian. I've seen all

Hello Brian. I've seen all three... moving the head only, moving the hands only and moving both... experiment with it, you'll find the one that works for you.

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