tutorial

In this Performance Training study I'll help prepare you for the process of joining an existing blues band or starting your own. No harmonicas are needed for this lesson, but download the PDF to reference as we go through the points in this lesson. This lesson is for all skill level players, but is generally focused towards upper-intermediate and advanced players. continue reading...

The most powerful vibrato/tremolo type I've heard came from the late-great William Clarke. He played an intense tremolo or vibrato (very fast tremolo or vibrato with large swing in pitch) and at the same time opened and closed his hands slower than the vibrato, creating a very cool and powerful oscillating effect. Take a listen to "Lonesome Bedroom Blues" from the Blowin' Like Hell release at 2:27. continue reading...

The vibrato needs a bit of airflow to activate all of its moving parts, so it doesn't work at very low volumes. For this reason, practicing going from a low-volume tremolo into a vibrato is time well spent. The practice is straight forward, start playing a note as softly as possible, using a tremolo of course, and as the volume increases enough to use the vibrato, switch to a vibrato as smoothly as you can (not allowing the vibrato to kick start and start swing hard and fast... the goal is a smooth transition). continue reading...

The 3' sounds great with a vibrato, but for most players the 3" swings too much in pitch and is not a very pleasing sound. When performing the 3" try moving your jaw up and down to produce the vibrato. The more you move your jaw the larger the change in pitch. The speed of the jaw movements depends on how fast you want the vibrato. This is commonly known as the "Chewing Vibrato."

If you would like to see and hear me demonstrate this technique visit the lesson "Tremolo & Vibrato" at http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/tremolo_and_vibrato

To check if you're achieving the vibrato, open up HarpNinja. Play a tremolo (no pitch change) and you'll see the green light of the box for that hole flicker on and off. When performing the vibrato (pitch change) you'll see the readout alternating between that hole and its half step bend.

Let's now try to create the vibrato on an unbent note.

Play your 3 draw and prepare your mouth to bend, but don't bend... keep your tongue and throat relaxed. Your mouth should be tuned to the 3 draw and is ready to influence the pitch when the tremolo starts. Now play your 3 draw with your throat tremolo and the vibrato should be there.

If you're vibrato is not there, then either your muscles are too tense or you're not tuned to the 3 draw. continue reading...