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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Bending on Just Compromised Tuning

2 replies [Last post]
Thu, 08/18/2011 - 01:05
Taylor Ward
Taylor Ward's picture
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Teacher 3Level 7
Joined: 06/03/2011

Hi David,

When bending with compromised tuning, do you bend down relative to the unbent pitch or do you bend down to the exact pitch?

For example, the 4 draw on a MB/S20 is +10 cents. On a MB/S20 C harmonica in proper factory tune, while practicing your 4 draw bend with a tuner, would you bend down to a Db +10 cents or just a Db 0 cents?

-Taylor

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Thu, 08/18/2011 - 21:42
#1
David Barrett
David Barrett's picture
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Answer

That's too technical... just bend as deeply as you can for 1', 2", 3''', 4', 5', 6', 7,+, 8'+, 9'+ and 10"+.. As for hitting "exact" pitches in a melody (not a bluesy bend... those can be -+25 sometimes) and 2', 3', 3" and 10'+ set the tuner to 440, 441, 443, it doesn't matter... a couple of cents -+ are not going to make a difference.

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Thu, 08/18/2011 - 13:08
#2
Taylor Ward
Taylor Ward's picture
Offline
Teacher 3Level 7
Joined: 06/03/2011
Awesome! I've been obsessing

Awesome! I've been obsessing over hitting the exact pitches this last month. It's good to know I can take it ease up a bit.

As always, thank you,

Taylor

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