the road back to basics
some bad habits do not show up right away but down the road, I am learning the hard way.
I know that breathing with diaphram is crucial but never developed that fundamental. Now in learning the bends, found out that bends sound sweeter when played with diaprham not lung power.
a simple 3+ 3" 3 3+ sequence making just my stomach pump the air seems both great exercise for humping g the back if the tongue not middle and for breathing.
I found out too trying to do one thing before I've gotten a fundamental down is counter productive. duh.
my question is how have y'all mastered the breathing and correct bending and clean single notes and on and on when trying to focus on playing songs too?
I wait on my mircle in advice :)
Monty
- Control - don't over-think bends, but learning to control them and the sweat spot for each key harp is critical to your success.
- Train yourself to let go - over-thinking bends is the killer. You'll find yourself pinching the back of your tongue too much and squeezing off the chamber. RELAX and let go. Loosen up a bit.
- Feel the force! - you will gradually feel where the reeds are in relation to your mouth and tongue shape. RELAX and feel rather than think.
- You will know when you are calm - tensing up is a bend killer. RELAX.
- Use your feelings - kinda goes with the force, but feel the music. Feel the emotion and submerse yourself. You will find emoting with your playing will help your technique immensely.
- Mind what you have learned - we have our own Yoda here in the form of David. He has trained many a harp Jedi in his time.
- The dark side clouds everything - don't get disappointed when you struggle or fail. Sometimes you pick up the harp and it just doesn't go right. Set it down and come back later.
- Clear your mind must be - kinda goes with the force and feelings lines above. RELAX. Feel rather than think.
- Already know you that which you need - David has given you a great foundation to build upon. Use it, and don't put a clock on your progress.
- Strong enough, you are not - Yoda's full of crap with this one. He shoulda stopped with the last point of wisdom. Now he's just showing off.
Too advice. The best advice is don't put a clock on your progress.
