RE: [Harp-L] A vibrato related question

["MLeFree" <mlefree@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Bob Laughlin writes:
> I found this guy, Ronnie Shellist, on Youtube.com, doing a search
> for "harmonica" clips.
>
> Here's the clip in question:
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs_OchfmBc8
>
> First, this guy is, if I am not mistaken, tongue blocking? I use
> pucker exclusively, have for thirty-some years, save for octaves,
> and resist the idea of changing my whole approach at this late
> date, but there are things I simply cannot do with pucker alone.
>
> Next, at 1:55 into the clip he uses a kind of vibrato (along with
> hand effects) that sounds like what I would call "phasing",,I've
> heard others do this, but never found out how to do it myself, to
> any degree. Is it done with the diaphragm? the throat? the
> tongue? It's something I definitely want to add to my harp tool-bag.
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
> Bob Laughlin, Stater Brothers resident whistler and harp player,
> Huntington Beach, Ca

Well, Bob, first I have to thank you for pointing us to Ronnie Shellist's
videos on youtube.com. They're great! I wish there were more than 8. I hope
he'll continue to add more.

Ronnie is a *superb* Denver harper, and yes he is a tongue blocker. He's got
all the techniques nailed. A joy to watch and listen to. His youtube videos
are a super opportunity to watch a terrific harmonicist in action. They tell
much about his technique if you know what to look for and watch them
closely. I'm hoping Ronnie shows up at SPAH, 'cuz he'll raise the bar fer
sure.

As to the vibrato, Ronnie uses his diaphragm. Contrary to an earlier post
you just can't get that kind of compression with a tongue vibrato. Learn to
cultivate a good diaphragmatic vibrato and you will reap many rewards. You
may have noticed that Ronnie has terrific hand technique, too. The
combination of a strong diaphragmatic vibrato and great hand technique
(along with his tongue blocking) puts Ronnie near the top of my list of
blues harpers. I just wish he was more visible in the harmonica community
because his input would be quite valuable. I'd like to know who he learned
from, for one thing (who is JP Allen?). I'm waiting for that CD of his, too.

And, yes, here are ~lots~ of things you can do with TB'ing that you can only
simulate with puckering. I've just begun to scratch the surface of 'em...
8^)

Hoping to see a bunch of y'all at SPAH!

Michelle