dips
David,
In "Feelin for the Blues" where are you starting the 3 dip? In the notation material it states that the dip would be "around a quartertone or half step" and I wondered if this is one of those instances where it more of a feeling for the passage than it is a "rule". I see that if you are trying to learn a passage exactly as it is written you would certainly want to end at the notated pitch - in this case the 3 natural, but where to start the dip was escaping me.
David,
While some of your answer was more than I needed to know, you did answer my question about where to start the dip. The dissonant thing can be appealing at times, but I know what you mean by VERY. When I have made that mistake I usually ask the guys how they liked my jazz lick. I have tried to remind myself how well the 3' works for the IV chord and I am glad you reinforced the thought. As far as more than I needed to know - it is always bettter to have more info than not enough. Not having enough has cost me a lot of time over the years.
A dip is simply shorthand for a bend and then a release to a given pitch (e.g., 3' to 3).
Yes, let the song drive how far you start the bend... most commonly a quartertone to a half step. The closer you get to the half step the bluesier it is.
The dip will lead (end) to the notated note... 4 dip would equal 4' (D-flat) to 4 (D).
***Special note about the 3 draw in 2nd Position... In this case, in this song, it's more of a ballad blues and the 3 draw sounds just fine as a natural 3 draw (major). BUT, in most cases, you don't let the dip reach all the way up to a natural 3 draw... leaving a slight bend (quartertone) is very desirable. So, rule of thumb, you almost always play a 3 draw slightly bent (quartertone)... and to be even more specific... always a 3' for the IV Chord (an unbent, or 3 draw at a quartertone is VERY dissonant... it's a major 7th, clashing against both the root (C) and flat-7th (B-flat) of the chord... more information than you need right now, but you asked! or did you ;-)