Here is a new try at Nine Below Zero. Pretty much copying your version on A harp. I have used tongue block all through except in the chug fills in the solo. Have learnt a bit while triyng to get it down. Still find the 4 draw bend a bit of a struggle on the fly, and also hitting the 3 bend on the first note of a phrase, but am pretty happy with my progress. Seems I still need to keep my face muscles as loose as possible. As i said before more 'elaxed attack'. I have been keeping this in mind while working on it.
Sez Blair "Seems I still need to keep my face muscles as loose as possible"
ALWAYS relax EVERY MUSCLE not necessary when playing harmonica - including back and shoulder muscles, neck muscles, and even your lips should be loose, soft and relaxed while playing.
You certainly understand "groove", based on this example!
Hi Blair - Good job. You’ve got a good, natural pocket and you really did your homework on those fills! Keep working with your tongue blocking and you’ll develop a more focused tone and you’ll begin discovering how to exploit more of the chordal benefits of the TB technique. Real good job overall!
Ok I will stick with it for a bit. I dont think I am too far off getting reasonable at tongue block. I find it a bit tricky to get a good 4 bend and hitting the 3 and 2 bends to a lesser extent. Also getting a good clear tone on the TB is an issue. Meaning not too muffled when I want it to be crisp. Probably just need to learn to attack and relax at the same time - practice!
I played some riffs real slow today to get a bit of muscle memory happening and I reckon I will practice that for a while.
Yeah - If you get a better handle on that one skill, it’ll make a huge difference. All it takes is some time spent in focused practice. I’d really love to hear you once you get more comfortable tongue blocking. You already have the beginnings of a real good, natural rhythmic feel.
Hi Rick. The clip below I played on Bb and sped it up a bit. Think I need some work on the 3 half step bends, especially in the faster runs. Changed the intro and second solo to include some of your other licks. Probably 70% lip and 30% tongue block. Just dont have the time to really master the tongue block at the moment but also really like lip pursing method at times. Your comments welcome.
Hi Blair - Overall, good job! I’m impressed with your timekeeping - You seem to have a good, natural sense of rhythm. That’s actually kind of a big deal! Additionally, you’ve done a pretty good job learning the licks. I really recommend develping your tongue blocking - It would fatten up your sound and give you the technique to exploit your natural sense of rhythm and really kick it up to the next level.
Thanks for the comments Rick and Larry. Will keep at it.
Hello Rick.
Here is a new try at Nine Below Zero. Pretty much copying your version on A harp. I have used tongue block all through except in the chug fills in the solo. Have learnt a bit while triyng to get it down. Still find the 4 draw bend a bit of a struggle on the fly, and also hitting the 3 bend on the first note of a phrase, but am pretty happy with my progress. Seems I still need to keep my face muscles as loose as possible. As i said before more 'elaxed attack'. I have been keeping this in mind while working on it.
Regards Blair
Sez Blair "Seems I still need to keep my face muscles as loose as possible"
ALWAYS relax EVERY MUSCLE not necessary when playing harmonica - including back and shoulder muscles, neck muscles, and even your lips should be loose, soft and relaxed while playing.
You certainly understand "groove", based on this example!
Hi Blair - Good job. You’ve got a good, natural pocket and you really did your homework on those fills! Keep working with your tongue blocking and you’ll develop a more focused tone and you’ll begin discovering how to exploit more of the chordal benefits of the TB technique. Real good job overall!
Thanks for the advice Rick.
Ok I will stick with it for a bit. I dont think I am too far off getting reasonable at tongue block. I find it a bit tricky to get a good 4 bend and hitting the 3 and 2 bends to a lesser extent. Also getting a good clear tone on the TB is an issue. Meaning not too muffled when I want it to be crisp. Probably just need to learn to attack and relax at the same time - practice!
I played some riffs real slow today to get a bit of muscle memory happening and I reckon I will practice that for a while.
May send you something down the track.
Regards
Yeah - If you get a better handle on that one skill, it’ll make a huge difference. All it takes is some time spent in focused practice. I’d really love to hear you once you get more comfortable tongue blocking. You already have the beginnings of a real good, natural rhythmic feel.
Hi Rick. The clip below I played on Bb and sped it up a bit. Think I need some work on the 3 half step bends, especially in the faster runs. Changed the intro and second solo to include some of your other licks. Probably 70% lip and 30% tongue block. Just dont have the time to really master the tongue block at the moment but also really like lip pursing method at times. Your comments welcome.
Hi Blair - Overall, good job! I’m impressed with your timekeeping - You seem to have a good, natural sense of rhythm. That’s actually kind of a big deal! Additionally, you’ve done a pretty good job learning the licks. I really recommend develping your tongue blocking - It would fatten up your sound and give you the technique to exploit your natural sense of rhythm and really kick it up to the next level.
Hey Blair... very relaxing, sonny boy for real.