Re: Fwd: [Harp-L] headshake - NOT a trill

[G <gigs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Date: Fri, 03 Feb 2006 18:11:24 -0000
Subject: Fwd:  [Harp-L] headshake - NOT a trill
--- chris smith wrote:
>> O.K., I'm pretty sure I know who coined this term
>> "head shake" but it's sort of like musical baby talk. 
8<
>> The correct term is trill for the smooth  vacillation between two pitchs.
-- Winslow wrote:
> Sorry, Chris, this is incorrect.
> "Trill" refers exclusively to the alternation of two neighboring 
> notes in the scale, never to notes any farther apart than that.
8<
> and say that harmonica players, if they really 
> want the respect of the larger musical community, should use musical 
> terms correctly. "Trill" has had a very specific meaning regarding 
> the intervals used for something like 400 years.
>
> "Shake" is in fact an accepted term for the rapid alternation of two 
> notes, whether dissonant or not.
> 
> Therefore, head shake is a perfectly acceptable term. I might quibble 
> that the head is not always used - I prefer to move the harp or my 
> tongue.

Hi Chris & Winslow,
  Having been through this discussion before with other musicians, I've
found that the term "warble" tends to be the most understood, and the least
likely to cause confusion or contempt.  
  Personally I agree with Chris regarding the use of the term "head shake"
for the reasons he gives, for what thats worth.
  I've had chiropractors and an osteotherapist warn me about using my head
(and therefore my neck) to do warbles, and I've watched an audience chuckle
away to themselves when they saw a (good) harp player launch into a bout of
literal head shakes at very high tempo - because it looks silly.
  I also have reservations about the use of the word "trill", which has
different meanings and level of acceptance depending on the context its
used - different dictionaries say different things, that can be broader
than what Winslow described - I agree with his reference to classical music
theory definitions, however its murky waters.  "Warble" is a happy
alternative that can be used among musicians and be understood.  

  I've deliberately relearnt to do warbles using my hands exclusively.
Although initially I was disheartened at the tone and timing I was getting,
with persistance it just became a matter of familiarising myself with a new
technique, and now prefer the way I sound (and feel) playing warbles with
my hands - a tip that saves a lot of discomfort while learning this, tuck
in your elbows and relax your neck and shoulders.  
  It was during this time that I sat up and took notice of Richard Hunter's
warbles in some of his recordings - having gained an appreciation for how
tough they can be to get smooth and sounding good, I was impressed, and
told him so. 

  One other thing.  Recently I've been hanging out with a veteren blues
harper, and the topic of warbles came up - I noticed he did something
different, he explained that rather than alternating between two distinct
notes, he was playing the higher of the two notes, and the warble was the
result of including the lower note, cutting it off and on.  Having learnt
this, I'm noticing it in recordings of various blues harp players, and I
like it.  It has a nice rich tone, and now I'm working on that too.
  With a JI properly tuned harmonica through a dirty rig, it has an amazing
effect when done well.

Cheers,
-- G.