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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

My Blues half/ whole step bend

1 reply [Last post]
Mon, 04/03/2017 - 22:24
msudvm97
msudvm97's picture
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Level 5
Joined: 12/10/2014

Hi David

This issue of the bend here is not necessarily related to ' My Blues ', but this is where I noticed it....

For the purpose of simplifacation I woiuld like to start with  the example on a ' C ' Harp

There are Half step ( denoted by one little mark to the right of the number/tab )

and whole step bends  ( denoted by two little marks to the right of the number/tab)

...for holes 1 though 6 ( except hole 3 ) this makes sense to me.

On hole 3 do we say:  Half step bend - Bb, Whole Step Bend - A , ...

do we call it a ' One and a Half step bend '  - Ab  ?  (Is this denoted by 3 little marks to the right of the number/tab) ?

So for the song ' My Blues ' , on an 'A ' Harmonica, thus a half step bend ( denoted by one little mark to the right of the

number/tab )  equels the ' G ' note and the Whole step bend  ( denoted by two little marks to the right of the number/tab)

equals the ' F# ' note ?

    Thank you for your time

                           Steve

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Tue, 04/04/2017 - 12:16
#1
David Barrett
David Barrett's picture
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello Steve. For the 3 draw

Hello Steve.

For the 3 draw bends on a C Harmonica it is half step bend (3' = Bb), whole step bend (3" = A) and minor third bend (3''' Ab)... it is also common to hear some people say "step and a half bend" for the 3'''.

On an A Harmonica 3' is G, 3" is Gb/F# and 3''' is F.

By the way, 3''' is extremely uncommon in 2nd Position. When used anywhere but the V Chord it's a very dissonant note. You'll see it start to be used when you get to Improvising Study 4.

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