Playing The Train - the Fastest Way to Harmonica Bossdom!?!

Nevermind @Luke I think the lessons say yours is the Ta Ka Ta Hoooo

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Several fantastic ways to do it! I love em all! ……but the in in out out pattern gives the greatest results.

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I agree and when you get faster it is “easier” to keep it going. once I speed up I tend to trip over my breathing haha

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Hey @davemacinnh yes well I’m giving myself to 5m of practicing what Joe Filisko calls the “Big Tone Train” which you can read about in the various links that I posted higher up in the thread.

And it’s also what @davidkachalon is doing in the vids he’s posted on this forum about the train. He teaches too, so if you’re wanting one-on-one about it, he’s your man!

But it starts with an EXHALE. It’s WHO who huh huh.
Big open throat with a metronome for 5 minutes a day, focusing on relaxation, consistency, control and dynamics.

Definitely check out the resources mentioned above or hit up David K. Good stuff!!!

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Awesomesauce @Luke. Thank you, I will dive into those resources and continue to plug away.

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Every steam train I have heard has the blow portion with more dominance than the draw. I was out going up and down a hill and the last round is a challenge if the humidity is high. Point is I realized I was replicating what a steam engine does when it is speeding up or going up hill. I play my train riff using this and it sounds much more realistic. Once a steam engine gets going fast there seems to be just one blow and then a single out, which is when the steam is flowing back into the chuffs for the next forward movement. Only problem is I have to use more air on the forward portion or the blow from the harp. I use my nose to “TRY” to balance this out.

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I’ve really got to get back into this since the flu I haven’t approached it again my chest takes a bit of time to clear whenever I have bronchial problems

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@scott4 Plenty gospel and country trains start with /emphasize the draw more than the blow. I’m sure @KeroroRinChou could show you some examples from the great Terry McMillan. Buddy Greene does some nice ones.

Filisko’s “big tone train” starts/emphasizes blow, but he acknowledges both and say the “smaller” train, starting with inhale and doing “tukka tukka” or something like that is good for sitting in the mix with a band.

The blow is the way all the pre-war guys did it, and they were mostly playing solo. Maybe @davidkachalon can confirm if he agrees here…

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Multiple styles and breathing patterns are totally cool to practice and use for a backing rhythms, but the Filisko train is the best one to facilitate massive growth. Breathing awareness and control, rhythmic timing, and body/breath coordination are all strengthened. Two minutes a day is like doing cardio. You will see results if done correctly.

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David

I start the drill by slowly increasing the speed and then hold it for about a minute. The real challenge for me is getting the slow down portion down pat. Its coming along with the toughest part being the last few rotations. Same goes for ending a tune. I tried using my diaphragm to stop the air flow and it seems to help. What is you method for the find rotations and stopping the riff and it sounds correct/

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Do you use the Gears to slow down? If not I will explain them. Perhaps do a video. Let me know.

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That would be very interesting thanks

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Will do! Give me a few days. Im on it.

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You are extremely generous with your time.

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I’d love to watch that video as well

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