tremelo
Hi David. I feel one of my weaknesses so far is a strong tremelo, and I've been working on it in different ways. One thing I'm doing is practicing Walter Horton's "Easy". Is he using the tremelo effect or something covered later in the lessons.
Thanks
Hi David,
I'm working on your "Tremolo & Vibrato" lesson but I'm having a few problems.
1. Is the vibrato supposed to fluctuate between the bent note & straight note? For example, the 5Draw in bar 3, I'm not sure if I'm just playing tremolo on the 5Bend or I'm actually playing vibrato? If I try chewing it, it starts to sound similiar to what you are playing, I can't seem to get that "wavey" sound.
2. I'm struggling to get an even sounding "Chewing Vibrato" on the 3"bend in bar 9, it sounds like a faulty fire alarm at the moment.
3. In bar 4, how do you manage to play temolo over the 43Draws & 54Blows?
4. I am also stuggling to find the breath particularly between bars 8-11 with all the bends & vibrato.
Any Suggestions?
Thanks
1. Yes, the vibrato fluctuates between the non-bent note and the bent note. You perform the vibrato by tuning your mouth to the pitch of that reed, starting the tremolo and relaxing the tongue so that it can be influenced by the tremolo to move the tongue sympathetically... these four elements together produce the vibrato. This is the principle, but commonly takes a year for most to get dialed in if they focus on it daily... take your time and be patient... this is one of THE most difficult techniques to FEEL.
2. You first need to be able to produce a 3" without much difficulty. If you can, then the key is to not move much... you don't want the bend to "pop" out of the bend (if you tune your mouth too low... e.i. your jaw drops too much... then the bend will pop up to the natural pitch).
3. There is no difference in playing a tremolo on 1 note, 2 notes or an entire chord. Think of turning on the tremolo like turning on the disposal in your sink... just flip the switch and it's on... your lips opening to whatever size they need to.
4. Even though there is not a rest notated, make a quick one by exhaling before you start each long phrase. It can also be helpful to open your nose slightly on most blow notes.
It looks like you have your work cut out for you! Hard work and patience always prevails! Best wishes on cracking this.
This has been my first post on the site, so I'd just like to say thank you for all the work you've put into this website its fantastic! Second to none. Good harmonica players/teachers are few and far between in Scotland, I'd still be struggling with the basics if it wasn't for your website, thank you too, for the quick response to my queries, your comments really help.
All the best
Stuart
Very kind of you to say... glad to have you on the site. Keep the questions coming.
That's correct, he uses a tremolo... a very fast one at that.