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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Level One, Bass Lines, Ex. 2.1

1 reply [Last post]
Tue, 05/19/2020 - 10:21
EddieKnoxville
EddieKnoxville's picture
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Joined: 11/11/2016

David, 

I just started the Bass Lines section of Solo Study #1 and I am really confused by your discussion on the video about example 2.1.  Right at the beginning of the video you remove the harp from your mouth to show the tongue block action involved in the example and you say "4 seperate breaths" and you inhale then exhale (it appears to me) when you stick your tongue out to block.  But the first bar looks like all draw until you get the the 5+.  I have trouble with getting full of air and having to get rid of it on the 5+.  So to start the next bar I find myself using 3+ instead of the 2 draw indicated.  Are there supposed to be 4 seperate breaths as you show on the video?  If so, are you exhaling through the nose and the harp is silent?  I just can't figure out wha's going on here.  Any addidtional help you could offer would be appreciated.

EddieKnoxville

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Tue, 05/19/2020 - 11:03
#1
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello EddieKnoxville. I'm

Hello EddieKnoxville. I'm happy to help.

I'm using all draw notes/breaths for the first three beats, then blow for the fourth. You breathe in for the first note, the 2 draw slap, then pull (all draw). For beat three, play 3 slap, then pull. Etc. You will take in a lot of air doing slaps and pulls. You will want to open your nose when you play the 5+ slap... this will dump the air that you took in.

P.S., this section of the lesson is for players that know slaps (Tongue Block Study 2) and pulls (Tongue Block Study 3). If you have not learned those techniques yet, I recommend you wait to play Section 2 until you have completed those lessons.

For a lesson on how to open your nose, go to this page https://www.bluesharmonica.com/faq and watch the video titled, "I run out of breath so easily!"

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