SH2 Ex 1.7 Pulls
There are pulls on the V chord but just starting LOA 3 I don't believe I've encountered pulls before other than hearing they're coming later. Lifts were covered though. Looking throught the site I've found pulls in Joe T lessons and will go there now but is there a lesson I've missed and could go to as well? Thanks!
Now that I'm working on pulls one question about SH Ex. 1.7. For the V chord pull would this accurately describe what's supposed to happen?
- tongue switch the 1 draw
- move my tongue a bit to the left to cover the 1 draw so all holes are now covered
-pull my tongue off to sound the draw chord
- tongue block the 4 draw
-move my tongue a bit to the right to cover the 4 draw so all holes are now covered
- pull my tongue off to sound the draw chord
Repeat for the IV chord only it's all exhale instead of inhale or blow instead of draw.
Thanks David!
You got it, just add slaps for your 4 draws and 4 blows... where there are pulls there are almost always slaps.
Much appreciated. One more question. This seems like a simple technique but perhaps a bit easier said than done before sufficient practice time. Here goes. When I'm moving from the slapped downbeat is it my goal to shift my tongue just enough to cut off all sound just before pulling my tongue off completely to sound the chord? Thanks!
You are correct to state "to cut off all sound just before pulling my tongue off completely to sound the chord," but it's less of a "shift" and more just a "stick my tongue out." You normally use a very light touch on the face of the harmonica. When sticking your tongue out slightly this light, relaxed, soft, supple tongue now easily and quickly blocks all of the holes in your embouchure. Best wishes on this, pulls create a fantastic effect.
In your Jam Tracks & Soloing Concepts #2 book the first measure of the second chorus of Ex. 4.2 on page 12 goes from a root/b7 split to a pull. Given I'm tongue blocking holes 3 and 4 would you consciously push your tongue on BOTH sides to cut off the sound before pulling or would you just lift off? Thanks!
You're correct. Just like the pull with a single note, in an octave you just stick your tongue out to cover all the holes in preparation for the pull.
Thanks for all your help. Got another question to ensure I'm on track as this technique is proving to be less than natural so far. I'm slapping the downbeat then sticking out my tongue a bit to cover the open hole then pulling off. We've established this will cut off the sound of the downbeat. Would you say that the tendency is to shorten the length of the downbeat? If I try to hold it for the full 2/3 of the triplet I don't have enough time to stick my tongue out and pull for the upbeat? Thanks!
You're on the right track. In the end, you won't hear the downbeat note cut any shorter... the tongue is extremely fast. For now, as you study it, sure, probably a little shorter, but with time you won't hear it that way.
Six months from now I'm going to look back on pulls from the same perspective I now have of tongue switching meaning it all seems rather easy now. But in the meantime it's a daily struggle. Fun even though a bit frustrating.
I've had to take my practice speed down to very. very slow. There are 3 steps I practice really taking my time. Does this sound okay to you?
1) Slap the downbeat. Hold the note until I'm ready for the next step.
2) Stick out my tongue a little bit to cut off the single note completely.
3) Once I'm certain the single note is gone pull off to the chord.
The most difficult hole is 1 as tongue switching adds an extra element.
Thanks for all your help!
You got it, that's correct.
Good morning SmokeJS. Pulls are covered in Tongue Blocking Study 2.5 and 3.