Re: [Harp-L] teaching question



From: <IcemanLE@xxxxxxx>
My question is this: should I try to teach him Toung blocking straight
away, or get him to a more advanced level (bending etc. ) before moving to TBs?

Teach him bending, trills, blow bending first. Take your time. Resist the
impulse to have the student learn too much too soon. Give him one bite of the
meal at a session and make sure he/she chews completely and swallows before
offering another mouthful.


Then start a parallel TB program.


I'm just a beginner, but I think Iceman is right on. It took me a long, frustrating time to learn to bend notes. I wanted to play so I frequently avoided it and played what I could without it. In retrospect, that was a big mistake, I was always running into notes that I couldn't play when trying to play what was in my head, or by ear.

If you don't think bending notes is essential, follow the position links from http://trinity.psnw.com/~dlmurray/PosSum.html It is very limiting, and frustrating, to not be able to bend notes. If he pays his dues up front, he'll thank you latter.

Peace and music,
Dave





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