Solo Harmonica Study 2 (Ex. 1.5)
Hi, David. I'm workining on Level 2 of the Levels Of Achievement and specifically execise 1.5 of the Solo Harmonica Study 2.
In the beginning of the 3rd measure the .pdf says to play a 2 draw. The phrase starts in the middle of the second measure with a 3 blow, so I'm just curious why it doesn't end on a 3 blow as the third measure starts. Honestly, ending on a 2 draw has helped me learn to play a 2 draw more effectively and there is obvious benefit from learning to jump from a 5 blow to a 2 draw smoothly. Are there othe reasons why one would choose to end on a 2 draw in this phrase?
Also, do you play the 5 blow out of the right side, then switch your tongue to play the 2 draw ouf of the left side of your mouth, or do you move the harp to play both the 5 blow and 2 draw out of the right side?
Hello MichaelMc. I use the 2 draw in this case to keep the breathing consistent... drawing on the downbeat (beat 1) of each measure. First the 4 draw, and then the 2 draw, and repeated. When I wrote that example I actually did start with 3+'s, but it felt awkward in that phrase.
You are correct, the general rule is to only tongue switch for hole 1, and that is what I of for 1.5. BUT, that would be a great example to use tongue switching, for two reasons...
1) It's a leap of exactly four holes... the size of your embouchure, making it easy to just move your tongue to the right without moving your lips.
2) After the switch you adjust your mouth two holes to the left and take your tongue off the harmonica to play the chord, making it a smooth transition to the chord.
There are players who use tongue switching for other than just hole 1, very specifically pre-war blues players (commonly on the high end in 1st Position) and classical chromatic players (where large interval leaps require tongue switching to play in time).
So, feel free to experiment, you won't get yourself in trouble, just remember that when your tongue is to the right you can't use your standard tongue blocking chordal techniques (slaps, flutters, etc.) so you don't want to hang out there.
Now that I can get a consistent 2 draw, it does feel awkward ending on the 3 blow. As a data analyst by trade, I really appreciate the detailed responses to questions like this.
Great information. Thanks for the quick reply.
Sure, that's what I'm here for.
I went back and looked at the video and it looks like you are moving from 5 blow to 2 draw both out of the right side of your mouth. That's how I have been practicing. That said, as I advance is this an example of when I would want to "bend the rules" of playing out of the right side for every hole except one?
Or is there never a reason to tongue switch except when hitting the 1 hole?
Thanks in advance for your input.