I play this tune and it sounds like what a blues tune to me. The notes do not look like what I think of a blues tune but it sure sounds like one. I like it as it is a great tune to really good rhythm practice, which helps me defeat the playing to fast syndrome. Only 5 through 8 with no bends. I am not sure if this classifies as a blues tune.
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@scott4 Are you playing the melody like this? 5 6 -6 7 -7 6 -6
If so, youāre playing in 4th position (Am on a C harmonica)
Fun stuff! And yes, it is a minor blues!
I discovered this myself sitting in with someone on that tune!
Wrote about it here, might give you some more things to consider!
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Luke
Yes as I have tried other positions but the layout you show is what I like.. I play it on a C but like it better on my G. Its has been gone through by HARPSMITH and plays so well. bends are easier. I now know Iāve have played in the first five positions and did not know it. Whenever you post something about position it sinks in more and helps with the theory aspect of it. It is starting to fit together.
Also you mentioned something about playing the harps like a solo tuned Gamechanger and if you were starting over this is what you would play. I like both but a well struck note on a Crossover is hard to beat. I will probably play both but the game Changer is much easier for me on the low end. The -1 sounds much better. I can get a decent one on my diatonic harps but I have to use diaphragm and very little air flow. Notes are so easy to play relative to a Crossover. A ? If the Game Changer is easier to play a note the diatonic harp require a bend how do you get all three steps on a Game Changer? Do you add a small bend when you want more than one semi tone lower? Also do you feel a chromatic is harder or easier to play relative to a diatonic once you get use to it?
As far a forgetting your harps I took a new job when I was 26 and had to fly to the big apple to meet the top brass. I was so nervous my dress shirts did not get packed. Discovered this on the first morning. I ran down 5th and explained to a clothing store my situation and they ironed three new ones I bought. It happens.
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@scott4 I havenāt found the Gamechanger to help with -3 bends. Iām still working on my -3 bends always and forever!
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I never got why the -3 bend is so hard for people. I donāt know about you, but I can āfeelā where each bent note is on the -3 draw. Itās almost like there is 3 physical stopping points.
On the other hand, the -6 bend doesnāt have this, and is challenging to me to hit in tune.
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Me to. Its hitting the first and second step consistently and quickly that is tough. Here is a riff I practice to try to get a bend quickly. 6 -4 5 -3 -2 -3B -3 with the bend played as quickly as possible and letting go of it for the last note. The two steps of a -2 do not seem some hard. What I am trying is whistling backwards for the bend but its easy to over cook it or go through the sweet spot. The easier I play the more it works but I have a long way to go. A harp tech tuned my G to bend and it makes a big difference. The gamechanger notes do not seem to have the quality of a crossover but its very easy the play the left side of the harp and the far right. Breathing seems to be much easier. Iāll play it but diatonic harps are what I have started with and like.
Only complaint with a Crossover is the sharp corners and the plates protrude out a bit, roughing up my lips. I took some 1,500 wet and dry and took to edge of and dull the corners. It helps. 1,500 is very light and I tap the harp on both sides of the edge while putting in a very small bevel. On your Crossovers have you had this issue with the edges? if so how did you deal with them.
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Hi @scott4 and everyone else,
I found the following link that probably 90% of the forum members could benefit from its regular use to practice and refine their bending skills in holes 1-4. Be sure to read it and the several replies from @Luke that are in that little thread:
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@Carlos1 That was a good post you referenced there. I am going to have to try that!
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I play the -3 in the first and second step. A tech suggested I play the initial part of the Batman theme as follows. -2-2 -2 2 step and another, then play four -2 first steps. It is a good way to practice it. I was never a batman fan but remember the first part of the song. I have read players feel the -2 bend is the toughest but its about like any other with my G. It is set up for bends and plays them much easier.
When I need a quick bend and have to let it go to another notes I whistle inhaling or backwards but use little breath. If I bend down the inhale it easily goes through the sweet spot and the bend ā over cookedā. I wish someone mentioned whistling on the inhale and trying to lower the pitch bending would have happened much earlier. I heard a Bob White quail in my yard and tried to replicate it and realized when I tried and got the inhale back after years of no whistling my tongue was doing the exact same thing it does when I lower the pitch on a bend. After 40 years of no whistling it took some time but it sure helps when I need a second step -3 quick and need to let it go to a -3. Still work in progress. A C A 2 tuner will verify if you are playing the desired bend, which is what I use to see. I do not try a three step as it just does not appeal to me nor have any songs I have learned require it. Got my hands full with the first two. Try whistling like guys in 1950s movies did when they saw a pretty girl walk by. Done right you will bend the pitch down on the first portion, provided you inhale the first part.
@Dk360 but thereās only one -6ā yunno!?!? I guess you can still plat it too flat or too sharp, but to play a fast something like -1 2 -2 - 3ā -3ā -3 -4 5 6 quickly, and have the -3ā and -3ā be as fast an even as the other notes and be in tuned, is something Iām still not satisfied with with my technique.
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Luke When you have to plat a-3/ and then a very quick -3 do you just go from oooo to eeee on the -3/?
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I used to think about like vowels!
But now I think about it as the Kk spot moving forward and back, kinda like a trombone player might think about it. (Except opposite direction to pitch correlation.)
Luke Thanks. Its the quick, snappy bend I am working on and then going to a -3 no bend. In other words there is little to not time between playing a _3/ or // and letting it go to the next note. if I under stand your analogy you move to the K spot very quickly and then let it go once you have a -3 bend. There ae a couple of tunes I am trying to learn that require to play a -3/ very quick and roll right into the -3, which. Also when you play the -1 do you use your diaphragm and very little pressure. I can play it but mine could be improved.
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Exactly @scott4 thatās why I got away from the vowels in that old video, cos I donāt want my released to be āeeā necessarily. āUhā is much warmer, rounder tone. So Kk spot the -3ā and release to uh is how Iām trying to approach it more now in your scenario.
In the final analysis, diaphragm and air pressure donāt matter for bending, once the technique is really solid. You can do it loud or quiet. Itās all about mouth position.
Luke Thanks I tied this and its the best I have done so far. I use a C A 2 tuner to see if I hit the -3/ very quickly and them the -3. It is smoother your way but this is new territory for me.
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