[Harp-L] Bending on a Diatonic Harmonica Using a Pitch Pipe to Test Accuracy

[Dr. George Miklas]

*THE DRONE*

Laurent,
Your statement "people have to train their ears" is correct. The most
reliable method to learning this is to use an electronic tuner to dial in
your pitch. This is a natural part of the learning process, and an
acceptable tool for any wind instrument, especially the harmonica and
bending of reeds (pitches).

So far we've only talked about using the visual meter of the electronic
tuner.  However there is also an audible feature too.

I use the audible feature in my tuba studio to sound on a drone as a
reference pitch. The same can be done for bending on a hole that is
difficult. For example on a C diatonic, if you are practicing the 4th/5th
interval of A, D, A, D, A, you might set the tuner to drone the A since you
want to create "embouchure memory" for the feel of playing the A, whole
step bend, on hole 3.

This is a pedagogy used by college music teachers for both vocal and
instrumental music students as well as by professional musicians.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Dr. George Miklas <http://www.georgemiklas.com/>, **Harmonica Specialist
- **Scholar, **Educator, **Performer*
*Harmonica Gallery Sales Repair & Studio <http://www.harmonicagallery.com/>*


On Fri, Oct 22, 2021 at 7:26 AM Laurent Vigouroux <
laurent.vigouroux at xxxxx> wrote:

> I’m always a bit puzzled by this type of advice.
> Most people have to train their ears to ear well.
> A tool (be it an electronic tuner or another instrument for reference)
> will be beneficial to most people.
>
> A few month ago, a semi-pro told me I was wrong when showing how to us a
> tuner for the harmonica (a model which detects the note you’re trying to
> achieve and plays it for reference). He told me it was useless and we would
> better use our ears directly;
> I listened to his playing … and he was playing quite out of tune.
>
>
> De : Harp-L <harp-l-bounces at xxxxx> de la part de Jim Peters <
> jfp2455 at xxxxx>
> Date : mercredi, 20 octobre 2021 à 13:11
> À : Rick Dempster <rickdempster33 at xxxxx>
> Cc : harp-l at xxxxx <harp-l at xxxxx>
> Objet : Re: [Harp-L] Bending on a Diatonic Harmonica Using a Pitch Pipe to
> Test Accuracy
> As a hearing impaired person, I cannot rely 100 % on my ears.  One size
> does not fit all. I say that if there is a technological tool available,
> and people want to use it, they should try it. I vote to be more inclusive
> rather exclusive.
>
> Jim
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> > On Oct 19, 2021, at 7:35 AM, Rick Dempster <rickdempster33 at xxxxx>
> wrote:
> >
> > I agree, Iceman. I also think harp tabs are worse than useless; merely
> > avoiding listening and training your ear.
> > RD
> >
> >> On Mon, 18 Oct 2021 at 22:20, The Iceman via Harp-L <harp-l at xxxxx>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> Best to learn the sound of correct bending pitch without using a tool
> that
> >> you have to look at for verification. Let your ear do all the work.
> >>
> >>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: Dr. George Miklas <harmonicat at xxxxx>
> >> To: bluesharpteacher at xxxxx
> >> Cc: Harp-L <harp-l at xxxxx>
> >> Sent: Sat, Oct 16, 2021 7:39 pm
> >> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Bending on a Diatonic Harmonica Using a Pitch Pipe
> >> to Test Accuracy
> >>
> >> A tuner app on your smart phone is very intuitive and gives realtime
> >> feedback on the pitch. This is my recommendation for all of my students,
> >> even chromatic students, since a change in embouchure can result in
> >> lowering a pitch. It also aids new students by reminding them to “Just
> >> Breathe!”
> >>
> >>> On Sat, Oct 16, 2021 at 6:12 AM <bluesharpteacher at xxxxx>
> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Bending on a Diatonic Harmonica Using
> >>> a Pitch Pipe to Test Accuracy
> >>>
> >>> https://youtu.be/dwmUTNh0S-s
> >>>
> >> --
>