RE: [Harp-L] Amplified Chromatic: Thumb or Finger?

["John Balding" <John.Balding@xxxxxxxxx>]

Mark Hummel is the only Blues player I've ever seen who uses the finger
on the button. Primich, Wilson and Estrin are "thumbers". I've seen
Piazza use both methods. As a rule, the "thumb" method allows for more
compression on the mic, while the "finger" method allows for a further
reach on a bigger harp and a quicker "flick" of the button.
Hummel tends to play a lot of fast runs and uses the finger for better
dexterity when going from end-to-end on the 16-hole. He does not play
the 12-hole near as much as the 16-hole. So, his cupping style favors
the larger harp, with the more extended reach required for pushing the
button while still having a fairly tight cup on the mic. I don't know
which approach Sugar Blue uses. He is a very "quick-fire" player. I
would be interested to know if he uses the finger or thumb method.

John Balding
Tallahassee, FL
 

-----Original Message-----
From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On
Behalf Of rmcgraw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 6:11 AM
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [Harp-L] Amplified Chromatic: Thumb or Finger?

You folks who play chromatic amplifed, holding a bullet mic...do you use
your thumb or finger on the slide? Seems like you might get a tighter
cup
using thumb....what does Bill Barret do? i know Vince M has played a lot
with Barret; what about it Vince?
WVa Bob

_______________________________________________
Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l