Gary's Blues LOA 4
Hi David,
I am struggling a little on the 5th Chorus. The first part is in bar 2 with the 5 5' 1234 pull and 5+, my problem in particular is trying to get the 5' then the pull. Not that it ia a true bend. I find my embouchure is all over the place trying to lower the 5 even a bit.
The second part I'm struggling with is still on the 5th Chorus from bar 9, where my lungs are bursting with air usually before I get to the 8th rest. Is there any room for getting rid of air before the rest?
Regards
Alan
Thank you David, my 2 draw half step and whole step, 3 whole step and 4 bends are pretty much spot on without any effort now, but yes I paid more attention to what I am doing with my 5 and it looks like I’m sucking a lemon....
Changing the two 2s to 3+ has made a huge difference. I didn’t think of doing that.
cheers Alan
Ah yes, your technique is definitely incorrect for that 5. Focus on using more of the front of your tongue, further forward in your mouth. Work on your 5, 6, and blow bends (bending study 6). Your blow bends (which really require you to use the front of your mouth) will help your 5 draws tremendously.
Glad to hear about the 3+'s... that's a tip you can use for any study song to come.
Hello Alan. The key will be in relaxing your embouchure with the bend. If you squeeze your lips, tense your tongue, or push your tongue on the face of the harmonica for the bend, your embouchure will move.
Play your 4 draw bend (probably an easier bend for you), focusing on relaxing... not tensing your tongue... not tensing your lips... not tensing your neck... focus on moving the tongue in that wave-like motion that I teach in bending study 1. Work with Harp Ninja to make sure you're getting the proper depth (this will take daily practice for a while to be able to bend while being relaxed, but it is THE key element in advancing your bending skill).
Do the same with all your bends, of course moving to the aforementioned 5 draw bend. Your embouchure will now not move. After the bend, perform your pull.
Get rid of air at the rest in bar 8. Get rid of air on the 4+ in the same measure (open your nose while you play). You can also change the two, 2 draws of resolution in bar 11 to 3+'s. Also, playing softer can help. Once your technique is really strong with this lick, you can start playing louder.
Keep at it, you will get it!