Re: [Harp-L] Blow Bends

["Rick Dempster" <rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks Elizabeth, for that observation. No, I wasn't intending to be glib. What you say is right.
I was just putting it in a nutshell. I've been playing over forty years, and I've learned new techniques all along the way,
even in the last couple of years. But you've got to enjoy whatever level you're at, and just continue to look forward to the 
endless possibilities that lie forever ahead.
RD

>>> Elizabeth Hess <TrackHarpL@xxxxxxxxxxxx> 24/11/2011 23:16 >>>
Kevin,

Rick's answer may sound glib, even flip, but it isn't.  As musicians,  
we are "small muscle atheletes", and there is a certain amount of  
embouchure strengthening and conditioning involved in getting those  
notes.  Just as we don't get buff by trying to lift a school bus once,  
but rather by lifting a can of soup three thousand times (over many  
days, weeks, and months), so do we need to try for bends, blow bends,  
overblows -- the lot -- a great many times.  Repetition and time are  
key ingredients.

I first learned this from Rupert Oysler, and it has proven true for me  
many times, and is still proving true.  Try for a minute or two or  
three at the beginning of each practice session, but don't agonize  
over it.  (Michael Rubin is right that it's easier to start blow  
bending on lower harps and work your way up.)  Just try a bunch of  
times and then move on to your regular practice.  Sooner or later,  
you'll get the blow bend (or draw bend, or overblow or overdraw) "by  
accident".  Even Howard Levy describes getting his first overblow by  
accident!  Then just keep trying, gently and leisurely but  
persistently.  At some point, you'll get the note again.  Gradually,  
you'll start getting it more often, and then more often than not, and  
then pretty reliably.  "Effortlessly" takes a bit longer, I admit.   
Given enough opportunities through repetition, your brain will start  
to register what works and what doesn't, and your embouchure strength  
will also improve.  As Rupert told me, "You'll be amazed what your  
brain can do."

Elizabeth (aka "Tin Lizzie")


On Nov 23, 2011, at 10:42 PM, harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> From: "Rick Dempster" <rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: November 23, 2011 5:43:59 PM EST
> To: "Kevin Hamilton" <kham27@xxxxxxxxx>, "HARP-L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Blow Bends
>
>
> Just stick with it! You'll get there.
> RD