Level 3 Bending Causes Difficulties with Tremolo
David, I feel pretty good about my progress with bending (working on Level 3) but I feel like my tremolo is suffering when I work on Feeling for the Blues. Chorus 1 still seems challenging although I've worked up to Chorus 5. A more general question is am I doing something wrong if I have good days and bad days. Sometimes it feels like I take 2 steps forward and 1 or 2 steps back. Is that just normal or is there a different approach or mindset I should have about practicing?
Dave. Thanks for your reply. I think trying to relax more is the key, and just knowing that will help, I'm sure.
What specifically gets worse? I just finished practicing Feeling for the Blues, Ch 1-5, and I made some notes. It's not everything although sometimes it seems like it. The list includes: 2 hole draw (most but not all of the time); hole location/clean single notes; and breath control (I marked up the sheet music so I'd remember where to exhale, but sometimes, I miss the mark). Curiously, the very beginning of the 1st chorus still flummoxes me at times. And try as I might, I can't seem to achieve the "twang" that I hear when you play the 3 hole dip. I'd appreciate any suggestions you might have.
Exactly Jerry... relaxing fixes a little of issues on the harp.
"2 hole draw (most but not all of the time)"
Look at the first video on this page for help https://www.bluesharmonica.com/faq
"hole location/clean single notes; and breath control (I marked up the sheet music so I'd remember where to exhale, but sometimes, I miss the mark)."
These will get better with reps
"Curiously, the very beginning of the 1st chorus still flummoxes me at times. And try as I might, I can't seem to achieve the "twang" that I hear when you play the 3 hole dip. I'd appreciate any suggestions you might have."
This will get better as your bending continues to get better. Try "kya" when performing the dip (quick bend to release).
Dave
Thank you, thank you and thank you. Hope to have better news to report soon.
Hello Jerry.
I'm glad to hear that you're progressing along well.
Most likely the tension that's being introduced when you're bending is staying (not relaxing when you complete a bend), and that muscle tension (in your throat) is causing your tremolo to suffer (which is easier to produce when you're relaxed). So, focus on relaxing your throat when performing the tremolo.
In regards to good and bad days... yeah, this happens. Fortunately, the bad days get less as the number of practice days increase.
What specifically gets worse? Bending? Tremolo? Everything?