Re: Fwd: [Harp-L] Rosco/Alec on OB's/half-bends

["Chris Michalek" <chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The trick is to hear the tone in your head and force your body to produce it.  Do you whistle?  Try it but make sure you're doing it in tune, once you get that under control then I think the intonation issues with go away.



>-----Original Message-----
>From: Michael Fugazzi [mailto:mfugazzi67@xxxxxxxxx]
>Sent: Saturday, September 9, 2006 07:01 AM
>To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Re: Fwd:  [Harp-L] Rosco/Alec on OB's/half-bends
>
>It seems all I do is practice bending and intonation! However, the three whole step bend always gives me troubles live.  That and the 4ob.  I try to practice them while cupping a mic at gig intensity, but all my hard work at home is out the door at a gig.
>   
>  That being said, my blow bends have been much better lately.  Same with 6ob.  Many in a another year I'll finally get it down.
>   
>  Mike
>
>  --- In harp-l-archives@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Fred & Sylvia" 
>wrote:
>
>Rosco wrote:
>"I have way more trouble getting half step bends to sound right than
>I do
>overbends."
>
>WHOAAA !!! Well that makes me feel a LOT better! I've taken to
>heart Joe
>Filisko's statement that accurate bending (and holding) to pitch is
>THE
>essential technique of a (blues) harmonica player, and George Brooks'
>admonition that accurate bends signal a really good player. Thanks,
>guys.
>I've been testing my 3'/3" and 2' accuracy lately vs. a keyboard and
>it's
>been a real struggle. I was starting to get discouraged. Now I
>hear that a
>player like Rosco has trouble with the half bends, I'm like sooo
>relieved.
>Thanks for the insight. Maybe I should seriously take up
>overbending if
>it's easier. (I would also like to know the best way to get the
>latest
>Maybe August CD - was hoping to pick one up at SPAH, but we were,
>alas,
>Rosco-less.)
>
>Then Alec wrote:
>"I'd also agree with Rosco that half step bends are actually harder
>to nail
>down."
>
>Ok, that's 2-0 in the "I don't think I'm crazy but these half-step
>bends are
>driving me nuts" Dr. Phil Sweepstakes. BTW Alec, great to see you
>post! A
>wise word from a this harp-l vet is always welcome.
>
>So, why do the half-bends get such short shrift vs. over-bends in
>the great
>harp-l ugly note debate (Winslow's Ode-to-Joy competition non-
>withstanding)?
>Questions to the pundits - I seem to have much better luck on the
>intermediate bends on a Bb or G harp vs. an A. I'm thinking it might
>actually be the specific harp, not the key? Or is there any reason
>that key
>might be particularly difficult viz-a-viz my physiology. Question
>2 - I
>seem to be able to control intermediate bends better if I pinch my
>nose.
>Any suggestions for stopping this embarrassing leakage?
>
>Fred S
>(who is somewhat disappointed after reading Rosco's post to learn
>that
>harp-l administrators are a bunch of sexy boys, when he had thought
>all
>along that they were a bunch of sexy girls, or a least a mixed crowd)
>
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>--- End forwarded message ---
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>Mike Fugazzi
>vocals/harmonica
>
>http://www.myspace.com/mikefugazzi
>http://www.niterail.com
>
>"Capitalize on your own strengths; develop your own style.
>The world needs another harp player doing Little Walter licks
>as much as it needs another Elvis impersonator."
>-Paul deLay
>
>"Rock to me doesn't exist - it's just a term that was
>invented for guys who can't play."
>-Kim Wilson
> 			
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