Walk with me swing?
To my untrained ears, I sometimes think the notes are being swung on the eight notes from 3rd chorus. My playing seems flat compared to yours.Or is that just better timing on your behalf??
Hi
What is meant by swing eights?
Thanks
"Swing eighths" is a term used to direct the playing of eighth notes that have a downbeat that receives 2/3 of the beat and upbeats that receive the remaining 1/3. This swing rhythm is dominant in blues and jazz. For training on this visit the Rhythm Training lesson in the Lessons section of the site.
The rhythym training is fantastic. I've been looking for easy and well explained lessons on this topic for a while.
Well done.
One issue I have problems with is saying dit dah when there is a combination of blow and draw notes. I cannot get this; especially if the dit is on the draw. I can do it, if all notes in the swing are either blow or draw; even though the draws are more difficult. Any ideas on solving this?
The rhythym training is fantastic. I've been looking for easy and well explained lessons on this topic for a while.
Well done.
One issue I have problems with is saying dit dah when there is a combination of blow and draw notes. I cannot get this; especially if the dit is on the draw. I can do it, if all notes in the swing are either blow or draw; even though the draws are more difficult. Any ideas on solving this?
Glad to hear you found the lesson useful. Try "da" only, so you get "da da" instead of "dit dah." The point of the "t" is to close the air, giving your "dit" note a very short, staccato sound. Get rid of this and your speed should increase. What is the "dit dah" used for?
I've seen the dit used in lessons I've bought over the years.
Probably should have said dah d dah d dah to get the swing, Sounds stupid but it still sounds a little flat. As if I should delay the d and put it closer to the following dah. ???? I know that the dah takes up 2/3 and the d 1/3 of the beat. Hard to translate it into practice. Told u I'm a novice!! especially with swing and rhythm!! I'm slowly training my brain with the metronome/feet for the beat to make it easier.
Still have an issue with alternating draws and blows during this swing process.
Thanks
Yes, it's generally the best way to think about it... that the upbeat eighth belongs to the next downbeat eighth. Swing is somewhere between the 2/3 + 1/3 and 3/4 + 1/4. Best wishes on your studies, you'll get it.
Actually u covered this pretty well with the Joe Tartaglia final review part 3 video
Working on getting used to the metronome.
I've been reading around and looking at some websites re shuffle rhythm.
People talk about accenting the upbeat. How is this done on the harmonica?
One of your books mentioned the tongue block pulls to accent the upbeat. Others say using Ta/Da.
Saw one great video on a sax player who went through the difference between straight eights and swung and shuffle eighths. He spoke about adding weight to the tongue without attacking the third note of the triplet. Without this , even with the correct duration of notes, it will still sound straight. Which is the case with me.
To accent the upbeat you play it louder (more breath). You can also articulate the upbeat if you wish to accent it more (the start of the note is stronger/louder). The pull is used on the upbeat in blues and is how traditional blues harmonica players create great shuffle and swing rhythms... you'll learn/use this more when you get to Gary's Blues (TB Study 3) and The Split (TB Study 4)... both these songs I incorporate more syncopated rhythms. I have not heard of the technique you spoke of in the last paragraph. A side note... setting your metronome (if it has that option) to swing eighths can be helpful.
Hell tombstarship. You are correct, swing eighths are assumed in blues. The only time a marking for the feel of the rhythm is made is when it's straight (not swung). So, swing away!