Fwd: [Harp-L] Vibrato on the diationic 3rd hole 1/2 step bend

["Winslow Yerxa" <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

--- In harp-l-archives@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, dr.alters-wizardsway@xxxx 
(Dennis B. Alters MD) wrote:
Hi,

Am trying to master the vibrato on the half step bend of the 3 hole. 
Need to hold it for a long period of time. I am able to hold the note 
without adding throat vibrato but I now need this element. Any 
suggestions on training for this are welcome.

Thanks,

Doc

================

This is one of the hardest bends to hold stable with good tone. 
Adding vibrato adds a layer of difficulty.

Yet it can be done. If memory does not play tricks, Al "Blind Owl" 
Wilson did it on the classic Canned Heat recording of "On the Road 
Again."

Fist thing is to try to get the bend where you can hold it in a 
*relatively stable condition. More than most, this bend wants to 
resolve either down to a deeper bend or up to the unbent note. See 
how much you can banish a feeling of physical tension while holding 
the bend. See how full you can make the tone while holding this bend.

Relaxation and full tone while holding the bend stable will give you 
a platform on which to float the vibrato. This is one of those 
instances where you may want to put the "wave" in the note with 
diaphragm (belly) vibrato instead of with the throat becuaew the 
throat vibrato will introduce some pitch bend - and therefore some 
instability in this hard to stabilize bend. 

Or maybe you can find a way to add vibrato with the throat but 
without bending the pitch, just sort of strking the air as it goes by.

Winslow