Bending Studies
Hello David, First of all happy new year for you and Sharon!
I've been practicing the bending study 1 and was wondering how far should I go before jump into bending study 2 and dig in to the LOA 3 study song. Do I need to master the bendings or should I start to learn the song?
I'm already able to reach a pretty controlled bend on 6, 5 and 4. Strangelly the 1 sounds almost good, but the 2 and 3 I'm still strugling to reach the half step.
Another question: is it good to use other keys during this intial bending process or is it better to keep practicing only in the A harp? I think maybe expose myself to other keys may expand my skills in some way that could be benefitial, however I only have 2 harmonicas, the A and the C.
Thanks
Thanks David!
A couple more:
Is it correct to say that the half step bend on 2 and 3 are more similar to the 4 compared to the 1 (regarding tongue placement)?
Sometimes I hear a kind of airy sound while trying to bend on 2 and 3, I mean, almost reaching the half step bend, according to harp ninja, the bend stops and the sound becomes airy and the more I try to go deep on the bend, the airier it gets. Considering everything is fine with the harp (its a crossover and the notes do not sound airy at all) what the heck am I doing?
Thanks!
Hello Gustavo.
It is correct to say that the half step bend on 2 and 3 are more similar to the 4 compared to the 1 (regarding tongue placement).
Airiness is common for new benders... it will get better with time and practice. Tip... try to hump your tongue higher in your mouth from the beginning... sliding slowly into the bend. Sometimes players don't have their tongue high enough in the mouth at all ranges of the bend, and this causes the bend to disappear. Other times, they're actually moving their tongue too far in the bend and going past the sweet spot of the bend (causing the bend to stall, squeal, or go back to normal pitch).Experiment, experiment, experiment, you'll get it.
Fast and precise, as always!
Thanks!!!
Edit: you're the best! Just finished my daily practice and thanks to this tip I finally got the full 2, of course, none control whatsoever, but at least I got it! Step after step, day after day, experiment, experiment, experiment!
My pleasure Gustavo
Hello there again David,
Here comes another one. On the Bending Study 2 the main focus is the 2'', correct? At this very begining should I am specifically to reach that far directly or is it ok to try to control the every half step?
Thanks!
Hello Gustavo. I would not say that the 2" is the focus of the song... that is the most challenging bend of the draw bends. Work on getting it, but expect that it can take many, many months to dial in. It's okay to slur into in the 2" (2 2' 2"), just don't hang on the 2', it's a dissonant note (it's okay in passing, but not to be held upon).
Thank you Gustavo, Happy New Year to you as well.
Go ahead and start the study... it will take you time to master those bends, and the study song is there to help you with it.
You could use different keys if you wish, but most students focus on one key of harmonica (I will introduce other keys in L4). There's nothing wrong with doing that now, so if you find it helpful, go for it.