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

[SONNYTONE@xxxxxxx]

When playing in the style similar to Sonny's the three blow was of  
paramount importance in how to play from your soul and not think, but feel which  
was better air wise in any given passage or even chugging. For me and what I 
try  and teach is to make the three blow exactly as the two draw, especially 
using  the vibrato. Same speed, feel, to where it can be expressive and not 
just a  passing note. Bill Clarke got a lot of feel in his three blows 
which were used  when coming down from an all draw line, same as Sonny would do 
but obviously  different styles. When you can't tell if it's a three blow or 
two draw with  using vibrato, you're there. Many use a pitch changing 
vibrato which makes it  nearly impossible to translate it to the three blow, 
which was a vibrato I was  stuck on for many years. When I use what Sonny did 
which was a more  diaphragmatic vibrato it works better. Personally I can't 
think of what  will come next in my solo's or in chugging patterns so I have 
to use that  three blow. Do I have it down perfect., not yet. Always working 
on getting  better at it but a good topic. If you can listen to Sonny's 
Spread this News  Around, he uses the three blow hit twice versus the two draw 
so he can continue  with his air into the next passage; if using the two 
draws you won't have the  air to make it happen. This is one of the keys to 
Sonny's playing I will be  sharing at the seminar, more how he did things, and 
why, versus using tabs. That  way you can listen and be able to play it using 
the same technique and create  your own. 
Sonny Jr. 
 
In a message dated 2/4/2015 5:40:53 P.M. Eastern Standard Time,  
bigbandrhythm@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:

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/Notatio
n%20Key_14.pdf