Re: [Harp-L] Bending To Pitch

[The Iceman <icemanle@xxxxxxx>]

My opinion:


Using a visual aid to to learn where to place a pitch is one step removed from internalizing the proper sound inside you. You stare at a light or a meter while exercising physical technique at the same time that you are supposed to be listening and adjusting. Then you are supposed to put it all together in muscle memory and fine tuning your sense of hearing the correct pitch.


Seems like a hard process with extra steps that create their own challenges. 


I am not saying this doesn't work or isn't useful; just that it feels cumbersome to me.


Proper pitch is something that can come from one's own inner ear along with the stored knowledge inside the brain that already exists. I've outlined a "Spoonful" exercise in previous posts that give an awareness of where to place the 3 hole inhale first bend, for example.


If one needs to use an external source to help with this concept, I've experienced great success by having the pitch desired created by a tone generator (some tuners have this built in, a synth, organ or keyboard works well). Let the pitch or tone hang in the air and then play the harmonica and match your bend to it. It is fun to fine tune the technique and feel the sensation when it matches the generated tone - after a dissonant sound and pulsing waves that slow as you approach the correct pitch, it flatlines when you nail it. Lots of fun to do with the eyes closed. Nice tactile sensation that helps reinforce with positive feelings the proper technique and placement of the note you create.


This removes the visual aspect of learning and lets you put more focus and energy into the aural arena.




-----Original Message-----
From: Marc Molino <mmolino54@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thu, May 19, 2011 7:14 pm
Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Bending To Pitch



... and speaking of electronic tuners (as Greg does below), you can probably 
download one on your smart phone (for those that have one).
I got  DaTuner free from the Android App market just this week-works like a 
charm. I'm sure there are others out there.
-Marc M.

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> 
>
> Appendix A--Tuning Layouts in Winslow's book makes using StroboSoft a snap.
> I imagine it would make life easier using most any electronic tuner.
>
> Greg