[Harp-L] Diatonic Harp -- Draw 2 vs Blow 3

["Steve Hayes" <bigbandrhythm@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I know from experience that practicing bad habits results in technique that can be hard to correct. While I also know that there are many different right ways to do something, I am trying to come up with some guidelines for deciding when to blow on hole 3 or draw on hole 2.

I want to develop good playing habits. In general, drawing on hole 2 is considered better than blowing on hole 3, (3+).  Drawing is more expressive and the transition to a bent note is obviously easier. There are exceptions, especially for rapid passages. In order of decreasing confidence, here are some:

a  2+ 3+ 4+ vs. 2+ 2 4+ â blow 2, then 3, then 4 rather than blowing 2, drawing 2 and skipping up to blow 4.

b  2+ 3+ 2+ â Avoid breath reversal

c  {rest} 3+ 4+ vs. {rest} 2 4+

d  2+ 3+ 4 or 2+ 3+ 4â â a bit more controversial perhaps, this favors 3+ after 2+ but before 4 draw or 4 bend.

e  3 3+ 4+,  3 3+ 5+,  3â 3+ 4+,  3â 3+ 5+,  etc. â avoiding a leap from 2

f  .. 4+ 3+ â You are in the middle of a run and blowing on 4. Next, blow three is easier than draw 2.

g  4 3+ 2+,  4â 3+ 2+,  5+ 3+ 2+,  etc. â Coming from above and have 2+, 3, or bent 3 after the choice

h  4 3+ 3,  4â 3+ 3,  5+ 3+ 3,  ... same idea

i  4 3+ 3â,  4â 3+ 3â,  5+ 3+ 3â,  ... same idea

j  2+ 3+ 5+,  2+ 3+ 6+,  etc â Playing 3+ get me closer to next note and avoids breath reversal

k  1+ 3+ 4+,  1+ 3+ 5+,  etc â Playing 3+ get me closer to next note and avoids breath reversal

l  2+ 3+ 4,  2+ 3+ 5,  2+ 3+ 6,  etc â Playing 3+ get me closer to next note

m  1+ 3+ 4,  1+ 3+ 5,  1+ 3+ 6,  etc â Playing 3+ get me closer to next note

n  a leap from above hole 4 or below hole 1 (SBS-type harp) then 3+ followed by 4+


Do you disagree? Please tell me why and suggest other cases to consider.

Here is one that I consider ambiguous and donât really know which way to play:

  1+ 2+ 3+ 1+ vs. 1+ 2+ 2 1+

Tab Legend:
3 -- 3 draw
3+ -- 3 blow
3' -- 3 draw bent one half step
3", 3"' -- 3 draw bent 2, or 3 half steps
Notation is that used by David Barrett and Mel Bay and can be found here:

http://www.bluesharmonica.com/sites/bluesharmonica.com/files/private/Notation%20Key_14.pdf