I am learning in sort of a different way than most. Owned 3 harps for about 15 years with about 10 years off until about 2 months ago. 2 days ago I learned a what I call a "True Blue" bend. What I mean is I am no longer whining my way around the 3 hole I am making individual clicks that generate 4 seperate distinct tones. I am barely able to play recognoizable tune other than 'look for the Union label'. What I have learned is some real smoothi whining up and down the 3 draw. ccording to Tricky Dick and my simplification of what he says is that it is impportant to try all avenues and not get hung on on pursing or tonguing when there are good causes for both in their right moments. I can gliss like an SOB and wail and trill tweet growl and tongue octives like a mad man and a fairly good train with a nice 4-5 drawn whistle. Tecnique - I kinda got a fun grip on quite a few things, tunes and scales... not so much.
I would add one extra step to Tricky's advice and suggest that for good deal of time practice
imperfection. Fart around and be a kid with it and lose the regimental part for awhile. saying things like 'diddly doodly' and 'tidly winks' will eventually get you to actually pull off all the bends even the "True Blue" bend which is the 2nd of 4 distinct tones on the 3 draw.
Tricky dick says he had gotten stuck for many many years until recently on mostly tongue blocking and now he is forcing himself to learn not to depend on it always.
If this helps anyone, here is how I can make a lot of noises
I have a semi-purse, I call it. sorta like starting off with kissing the upper rail of the comb. The lower edge of the holes would be about as deep into my mouth as where the tip of my tongue would touch to outer most part of my lip or more like the bottom of the holes would ride along the very part of my lip where flesh looks glassy and no wrinkles pursing would be sorta putting that bit of round to cut the lower corners off a single hole and a tongue can get the top if needed. I have the genetic trait that lets me put a very tight U shape at the very tip of my tongue that makes for lots of fun. That helps with my gliss also. saying tee and tah or dee dah and toodooloo can get you your clicks where you really do not need the particular artifact of a tongued note.
Rule #1 is "keep it fun"
My harps are old and ripped up after buying new and having a ball with them. Now that I have hit my low bends correctly I am trying to actually learn proper riffs and licks at least and that could be a slippery slope into wanting to learn scales
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 08/12/2015 10:07AM by JerryVan.