Re: [Harp-L] Chromatic technique

[sheltraw@xxxxxxxxxxxx]

Hi David

Multidimensional!! Careful. You could put an eye out with that.

Kid'n aside. I'm trying to get a sense of what is possible with respect
to this type of note transition on the chrom. Could I convince you, or
any other chrom player here, to try this phrase and tell me how well you
think you handled it at fast tempos? Here it is:

   -----3-----    -----3-----   repeat 5 times
  5Bo  4Di  5Bo  6Do  6Bi  6Do

The numbers indicate the hole, D = draw, B = blow, o = slide out and
i = slide in. The 3 above indicates that these are to played as 8th
note triplets. At what tempo does it start falling apart for you?

BTW the phrase may sound un-musical on a solo tuned chrom. I am not
playing a solo-tuned harp. Augmented tuning for me.

Cheers!

Daniel


> Hi Daniel,
>
> I was busy formulating a set of second-order partial differential
> equations describing the multidimensional dynamics of a system of freely
> vibrating harmonica reeds when this other question of yours arrived.
> (Just kidding; even figuring out restaurant bills is too taxing for me.)
> Afraid my advice is just practice, practice, practice.  The problem, of
> course, is timing.  Transitioning from one note to the next might
> involve a change of holes, a blow/draw change, and a slide-in/out
> change.  All need to be precisely synchronized to produce a clean
> sounding note change.
>
> Unlike old-timey music and Irish music where folks often play in unison,
> music such as bluegrass allow the soloist some freedom to embellish the
> melody and do some improvising.  Really difficult melody lines might be
> replaced by similar lines that are easier to play and as pleasing to the
> ear.  One advantage of playing a C chromatic in all keys (as I do) is
> that it is easier to avoid getting stuck playing the same riffs over and
> over again.  A riff in one key might be extremely difficult, but easy in
> another key.
>
> Glad you and Tony enjoy my new bluegrass CD,
> David Naiditch
> www.davidnaiditch.com
>
>
>
> On Tue, Feb 1, 2011 at 2:04 PM, sheltraw@xxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
>
>> Hi Tony
>>
>> David's the man. I have his new CD. Totally dig'n it!
>>
>> Actually the question is not bluegrass-centric. I would like to here
>> from
>> anybody that can play this type of action rapidly and cleanly.
>>
>> Cheers!
>>
>>
>>> A previous post wrote
>>>
>>> "I have been playing chromatic harmonica since April 2010. As I
>>> continue
>>> my
>>> efforts to develop the speed and accuracy that I will need to play at
>>> bluegrass jams I find that there is one particular type of action
>>> that
>>> seems to be a speed development bottleneck for me. "
>>>
>>> David Naiditch is the man to help you with this. While you're at it,
>>> check out his great new CD, "Bluegrass Harmonica, available at
>>> http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/davidnaiditch
>>>
>>> Tony Eyers
>>> Australia
>>> www.HarmonicaAcademy.com
>>> ...everyone plays
>>>
>