[Harp-L] nomenclature

[rainbowjimmy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Obviously I've been a little obsessed about this. And also this is my  
nomenclature--not Gospel.Not having a teacher in the area I want to  
make sure I'm doing things correctly.

I sat down with two band members, one is also a music teacher. We got  
out the harps, the music dictionary, and the reference CD (Paul  
Butterfield's Master Class CD).

The music dictionary says that vibrato was a rhythmic change in frequency
Temolo a rhythmic change in amplitude (the volume goes up and down).
A violinist or a singer will use vibrato. A mandolinist (mandolinner?)  
frequently uses a tremolo.

My vibrato and Paul's vibrato do have a pitch change therefore it is a  
vibrato.
Paul's is better than mine.

Besides hand vibrato (which we decided was a tremolo--a change in  
amplitude without a change in pitch) I can do two breath vibratos.

One I inhale and break the sound up with my throat--the inhale is  
constant, the throat goes KKKKKKK. I call that a throat vibrato.

When I inhale rhythmically (take short breaths in)uhuhuhuhuhuh I call  
that a diaphragm vibrato--that's what Paul does, and the frequency  
modulates. The music teacher actually sang the notes and mimiced the  
vibrato and I could clearly hear the change in frequency. Paul for  
some reason calls this a tremulant. My stomach gradually fills with  
air, but it doesn't pulse. Not saying it can't pulse, but it doesn't  
have to for this effect.I like the sound of this vibrato better  
because my throat is more open. There is something going on in the  
throat and the base of the tongue. I can feel it if I put my hand on  
my throat. The change in frequency is small--it's not the equivalent  
of a half step bend..

We decided a head shake is a trill.

Paul hits the notes with the vibrato already going. I can't do this. I  
need to hit the note, then turn on the vibrato. Something to work  
towards. He also uses it a lot on bends--maybe this helps disguise the  
fact that you're not quite hitting the note.

Rainbow Jimmy
http://www.spaceanimals.com
http://www.soundclick.com/theelectricstarlightspaceanimals.htm