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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Approach to mastering bends on different harp keys

3 replies [Last post]
Fri, 04/10/2020 - 16:16
Angel Georgiev
Angel Georgiev's picture
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Level 5
Joined: 01/19/2020

Hello David,

 

I need your help to build a methodic of mastering bends on different harp keys.

So far through my studies and my practice time I mainly work on an A harp, so naturally I am stating to feel more and more comfortable with that key.

However today I attempted a piece on a C harp. It's not like this came unexpected but I have realized that on that harp key I have much less control over the bends on hole 3.

The rest were also challenging off course, but number 3 really gave me headaches.

So now I am thinking to include also that C harp in my practice time to play every day with that 3 draw bends until they start to feel as comfortable as on the A harp.

But then I thought...well there are 7 different harp keys in my case (G, A, Bb, C, D, E, F)...and this is when my head started spinning :)

Can you please recommend me some "best practices" approach for mastering the bends on all those (draw, blow)?

I would like to incorporate this in parallel to my studies so that when the time comes for me ot play a piece on some of those other harps I will not have to go back to 1st grade trying to learn how to bend again.

 

Many thanks in advance!

Stay safe!

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Fri, 04/10/2020 - 17:03
#1
David Barrett
David Barrett's picture
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello Angel. It's part of

Hello Angel. It's part of your studies to learn how to play different keys over time. Right now it's the C harmonica, and it will take time for your bending to acclimate to this higher key. Next it will be the G harmonica and then the D harmonica. I recommend you just hit those harps as you hit them in your studies.

If you want to get a head start, then I recommend that you change your jam harp every week. Your jam harp is the harp that you throw in your pocket as you go out the door. It's the harp you keep in the car to jam at stoplights. It's the harp you play for people when they want you to play for them. This will take care of it.

P.S., a quick tip...

Higher harps require you to use more of the front of your tongue, further forward in your mouth, and a smaller overall embouchure. Lower harps require that you use more of the back of your tongue, further back in your mouth, and larger overall embouchure (slight yawn).

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Sat, 04/11/2020 - 05:21
#2
Angel Georgiev
Angel Georgiev's picture
Offline
Level 5
Joined: 01/19/2020
Thank you, David! I will

Thank you, David! 

I will "circulate" arround those keys for now.

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Sat, 04/11/2020 - 07:03
#3
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Sounds good Angel

Sounds good Angel

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