Need to close blow gap totally to bend third hole
Hi,
I've noticed that to get that feeling of control on third hole draw bends I need to close the gap on the blow reed so much that it doesn't play at all or chokes with really little effort. Do you have any clues on what could be wrong? I experienced it on both a Seydel Session Steel in A and a Suzuki Bluesmaster in D.
On the Bluesmaster I've sized both the draw and the blow reed. I think its really hard to see how big the gap is so I've oversized a little and then cleared it with a shim (the one that comes with Seydel's Ultimate Sizing Tool). But that didn't improve it much.
Well, it can be a matter of technique, but it is really frustrating to feel that control over the bending when the blow reed is gapped to little. Any ideas?
Hi Carl
Possibly a little bit of both ...
When sizing--from the rivet end--the first 70% of the reed slot is the most important to size. Not so much at the free end, because this is where the "lift" happens. Look up Bernoulli's Principle ;o)
Mostly, I believe it is your technique. Remember the tongue is humped up high enough that you should feel you upper molars with the sides of your tongue. Furthermore, move the hump of your tongue further back in your throat. I think the reason you are losing "control" of the 3 draw bends (Bb, A, Ab) is that moving the tongue that far back causes a bit of a gag response. It is possible you are not holding the position.
Let us know please.
Your Harpsmith,
Kinya
Hello
I have similar problem on my 3 draw as well.
After I gap my 3 blow (and 3 draw) for playing both blows and bends,I have found that the intermediate "bended" notes disappear.On a C harmonica,it would mean that on the 3 draw bend(B->Bb->A->Ab), the A note doesn't sound at all.However if I keep bending further the Ab just pops out really loud.The bending sound also kind of loses it amplitude at around a quarter note from Bb.
Is this a gapping issue or is it the technique?
Hi Jhoom, It is good to hear from you.
I believe this is a situation where the mechanic can not blame their tools. The proof lies in the fact you are able to sucessfully hit the lowest of the 3 hole bends (Ab) tells me there is nothing wrong with your harmonica settings. The frontal canal (cavity) in your mouth (space between the back of your teeth to top pallet to top of tongue) is a tad too large to match the frequency of an A pitch.
Try this:
- When you play the Ab pitch, the hump of your tongue is almost touching the top pallet of your mouth.
- To play the A pitch, the hump of your tongue will also be anchored close to the same location, with the tip of the tongue anchored to it's relative front position. The difference is with the part of your tongue located between the front and hump.
- From a side view, when playing the Ab, that portion is scooped inward towards the back of your throat--looks sort of like a swimming pool slide.
- Push/plump out (like you do with your belly at Thanksgiving time) the portion of your tongue located between the tip and hump--and straighten out the scoop.
- This technique will shrink the size (volume) of the front canal to play the A pitch ... continue you this process and you will shrink the canal a little more, then the Bb will pop in!
Change to different pitched harmonicas and experiment. Once you program this into your muscle memory you will be surprised at how secure your bending technique will become. Let us know how this works for you.
Your Harpsmith,
Kinya
Either my technique just improved or it helped to lower the angle of the UST when sizing the part closest to the tip.