Stompin' The Blues
Posted Tue, 08/17/2010 - 14:09 by Adam Pritchard
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Free Sample Lessons
After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at BluesHarmonica.com.
- Tongue Blocking Study 2 – This study is for the newer player or the player new to tongue blocking
- Bending Study 5 – This is for the advanced player looking to improve their bending skills
Comments
Stompin'
I really like hearing different uses of the overblows. It's hard for me to work them into every day use.... although I do try. Except for the 1OB. Can we hear that singled out. I've never heard it before. I didn't know it was possible. Can you only do it on certain keys? Great solo. I love the flow!
PS- I just figured out the 1OB!!
Thanks for your comments
Thanks for your comments Powersolo and congrats on getting the 1OB. Now the hard part is using it!
In terms of incorporating overblows into every day playing, I found it hard at first, but I'm gradually using them more and more and I now use the 4 and 6 overblows quite a lot. I've basically played around transposing some of the 2nd position riffs I play in the lower octave, up to the middle octave. So for example the 6 overblow is the same note as the 3 draw half step bend and 5 overblow the 2 draw half step bend.
Good luck.
Reply
Thanks guys for all your positive comments. They're really appreciated. For a guy who plays 95% of his harmonica in the spare room it's fantastic to get some feedback form other guys who love this little instrument as much as I do. David, what you're doing with this website is nothing short of fantastic and thank you for taking the time out to comment.
I've realised that I was mistaken when I said I used the hole 5 overblow in this piece. I didn't - only holes 1, 4 and 6.
To answer a couple of your questions...
Bugworks - Yes I play mostly pucker method, although I'm beginning to use tongue blocking more and more for holes 4 through 6 and also for octaves and other tongue effects. I haven't started bending notes through tongue blocking yet though. I have tried it but just find I'm able to do it more easily and faster using the pucker method. I'll keep trying though as I'd ideally like to be able to play using both methods which will allow me to pick and choose as it suits.
Jordanchudan - The hole 1 overblow definitely requires a different technique to holes 4, 5 and 6. I find it comes easiest by making a hard "Kuh" sound at the back of my throat. Kind of like a cross between choking and coughing. Once you get the technique right it seems to come quite easily, although you can't vary the sound much or sustain it for very long. It works fine as a passing note though, especially in 1st position when it's the flatted or 'blue' third or in 2nd position for riffs played over the IV chord. That said there's plenty of other notes on the harmonica to get your teeth into without needing to learn overblows.
Stompin'
Really cool foot-tapping stuff this. I can sometimes get a squealing overblow on 6 blow but can't get anything out of 1 blow. Is it a different technique?
Comment
Nice head. Wow, great use of the 1OB on IV, that's a tough one, and you played in a real nice context. Nice 3'' on 3' on the IV on the second chorus. I liked the octaves in the third chorus to add texture. Good stuff.
Stompin' The Blues
Great solo harmonica piece. I love this style of playing.
You clearly have handle on playing the harmonica and can only go from very good to great from here.
Frankly, I not familiar with how an overblow should sound, so unless I tried to copy your piece, I did not notice any obvious attempts to overblow. Therefore you must have done a good job with those.
Don't take me wrong, I'm just curious if my ears can pick up on certain things, but was this mostly played in the pucker style?
Again, nice work and I hope to hear another posting in the future.
Stompin'
Hey - you have every reason to be pleased with this!!! Good solid rhythm kept all the way and those bends are sounding good. Only a couple of OB's that I noticed - which means the others were worked in seamlessly - way to go. Its great to hear some of the others on this site and how the hard work is paying off. Good one!!!