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David's Tip of the Day: Dynamics & Tone (Bullet Mic)

Posted Wed, 12/19/2012 - 10:20 by David Barrett Admin
David Barrett Admin's picture

Dynamics are generally thought of as just a change in volume. If you like to play amplified, you have a great volume PLUS tone tool right in your hands. Experiment with not only changing your volume, but your tone as well by experimenting with how tightly you cup the mic ("tight" is not so much how much muscle you use to grip the mic, but how well you make the harmonica disappear into your cup... minimizing leakage... the less leaky, the more bassy/muted). Experiment with the following combinations...

Overly Tight Cup (Very Muted & Bassy) + Normal Volume -or- Play Softly -or- Play Loudly
Normal Cup (Standard Sound) + Normal Volume -or- Play Softly -or- Play Loudly
Slightly Open Cup (Brighter) + Normal Volume -or- Play Softly -or- Play Loudly
Open Cup (Brighter and more Acoustic Sounding) + Normal Volume -or- Play Softly -or- Play Loudly

For an example of this, watch the opening video at http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/music_theory_study_6_beyond_12_bar... (not such the opening chorus, but the following choruses).