Bending on C harmonica - are high squeaks my fault?
I'm on Bending Study 2, and bending on the A harmonica is coming along pretty well, but my C harmonica is proving a challenge, especially up at the 6 draw. I'm getting a bend, but it usually stalls out. But that's not really an issue, practice is making progress.
But along with the stall comes a high pitched noise - a sort of whistle, almost like feedback. It's more high pitched than either of the 6 hole reeds. I was wondering if this was basically universal, like the 2 draw, and I just need to practice until I can avoid it, or if this is something a tune-up (or just a less-cheap harmonica) could fix. I can probably learn to avoid it, so in some sense it's definitely "my fault", but if a little better equipment would make it easier to avoid, that's information I could use.
Thank you very much, I'm having a good time with this level of achievement!
Bob
Hello Bob.
I'm glad that you're enjoying your LOA studies.
Yes, "universal, like the 2 draw, and I just need to practice until I can avoid it."
The C Harmonica is higher in pitch than the A Harmonica, so it requires that you tune your mouth smaller for all of the bends. Use more of the front of your tongue, further forward in your mouth. That 6 draw requires a very small chamber... think the size of a pea right behind your front teeth.
Play softer, with less tension, and control the bend much closer to the harmonica and with practice that squeal will disappear.