Hole 2 draw vs Hole 3 blow
Hi David
I note that you almost always use the hole 3 blow rather than the 2 draw in our study material. Is there a reason for this? I have heard other instructors say that you should always use the 2 draw as it gives a more "bluesy" sound.
Thanks'Eric
Understanding what you wrote above, I want to practice the most optimum thing....if that exists for this situation.
When practicing my 4+ 3' 2, especially at the end of a 2 hole draw measure that takes a lot of air, is it OK to use 3 hole blow to manage air.... I know it's possible, but I want to be good, so is it better to figure out how to manage my air a different way, or is this a "perfectly fine" way to play this lick? (I am specifically practicing "Blues Creeping Over Me" and finding air management a challenge)
Thanks,
Matt
Hello Matt. The 3+ is just fine. Where it's important to stay closer to the TAB is when you get more into bending (Level 3), so go for it.
There are almost entire doctoral dissertations about 2-draw vs. 3-blow, and in addition to David, folks like Joe Filisko and Dennis Gruenling have had really interesting observations not only about their own playing, but about how some of the traditional giants of blues harmonica approached it.
Same pitch --- two differnent holes --- what a wonderful world!
(The common 10-hole diatonic tuning is oft credited to Joseph Richter, the Bohemian instrument maker who nearly 200 years ago figured out how to blow and draw I and V7 chords on the harp. If it hasn't happened already, someone should write to the Vatican about sainthood for him.)
Hello Eric.
This is just for the beginning study material. It's very difficult for new players to play the 2 draw without unintentional bending (~70% of students have this issue). As the player progresses, they will use more 2 draw.
Simply put, we use both the 3+ and the 2 draw.
The 3+ has a bigger sound when slapped and is adventagious for getting rid of air (the more you advance, the more draws you will use... commonly ~90% of your notes will be draws).
With the 2 draw, you can precede it or follow it with a slurred bend. The 2 draw is also good for faster passages that include a lot of draws.
So... both are good, but the 3+ is best for the newer player.