[Harp-L] Re: Throat vibrato

[Steve Baker <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The Iceman wrote:

<this was one piece of technique to work on for a total control of  
the instrument.

Try to see how slow you can pulse - when you get it down to once/ 
second, it will reveal the muscles needed to accomplish a single  
pulse. Now, try to focus on exactly only what is needed, eliminating  
any bundled habitual extra musculature. With this understanding, next  
try to relax as much as possible, minimizing the muscle impulses  
needed until it is as natural as breathing. Then, rebuild, starting  
to increase your pulse speed slowly.

You may reach a ceiling to just how fast you can control the pulse.  
Don't spend time trying to crash through your ceiling. Accept the  
fact that that is your limitation at this point (sometimes the  
individual has a muscle limitation - for instance, I can't sideways  
tongue switch very fast while others are like machine guns). Then  
roll this into your technique to be used w/out much effort and see  
how far you get creating your own sound.>

Steve comments:

Excellent posting Larry, you've once again come across with great  
tips which get right to the point and really work. Thanks! When're  
you going to write that book?

Steve Baker
www.stevebaker.de
www.bluesculture.com