Does bending require inspiring harder?
Mon, 05/10/2021 - 09:53
One thing confuses me in the bending study number 1 explanation. Your Ssh-Kee-Koo transitions (without harmonica) sound as if you were forcing the air through with much pressure, getting a "hissing" sound. But I suppose that when bending the air flow should not change drastically, else speed would be very hard to achieve.
I suppose that the hissing is exaggerated for educational purpose, to better hear the pitch change? Or does bending actually require a much harder breathing pressure, the control of which would be part of bending control?
I have succeeded in my first partial bends (almost 1/4 step), but having to inspire hard, for a poor volume. What is the best approach from this starting point:
- First stay on say 1/4 tone and try to get a clean, more relaxed tone, and only then, from a good position, explore to get lower? What kind of "decontracted airflow" should I aim at, then?
- Or try to get lower first, even if forcing air; and only then, at the right pitch, explore to make it sound good? This seems harder to me (trying to relax from a very tense position).
Hello ÉricD.
You are correct, the hissing is exaggerated for educational purpose. Also, this exaggeration is beneficial for most students learning how to bend, because they commonly are not moving their tongue up high enough in their mouth.
Bending does not require harder breathing pressure.
Glad to hear you're moving in the right direction.
I agree with, "First stay on say 1/4 tone and try to get a clean, more relaxed tone, and only then, from a good position, explore to get lower." It's all about experimentation. It's okay to play slightly louder, and with slightly more tension in the mouth, but just slightly (it's hard to relax when you're trying to do something new, so some extra tension/exertion is to be expected and is fine).