Re: Blow Bends



What's up, Doc? (Sorry ...couldn't resist).

You're asking how to encorporate tasteful blowbends
into your playing? Well, I may not be tasteful, but
I'll give you my perspective on this.

Blowbends, by their nature, occur at the high end
of the harp... in other words they tend to get
piercing fairly quickly unless you're using a
low-key harp.

When I perform I generally hit high blow bends hard
only once or twice for dramatic effect in
rollicking type songs (remember the end of Wammer
Jammer?). 

On the other hand I may choose to do a blues number
in 1st position, hanging in the lower octave for
most of the song, and take a full 12 bar solo at
the high end (careful to control my note choices so
as to prevent screeching overkill). 

My general rule of thumb regarding high-end harp
work (and blow bends) is that a little bit goes a
long way with listeners. Use them in good health!

Hope this helps,

Harpin' in Colorado,
- --Ken M.



- --- dr.alters-wizardsway@xxxxxxx wrote:
> 
> Hi everyone,
> 
> First thanks for all the help that was offered a
> few months ago on accurate 
> and articulate bending.  Many list members and
> some local friends took time 
> to give me practice ideas like Iceman, Alan
> Adamson, and Mark Wilson.  So now 
> is the time for me to get blow bends really down.
>  I am concerned about 
> correct embouchure and if modifications are
> necessary, accurate note 
> expression particularly when there are two half
> steps involved and not 
> getting hypertensive and dizzy when trying to hit
> them.  Some players make it 
> look easy and play them tastefully and others
> well need I say more.  Some 
> ideas on when they seem to fit in best in solos
> would be helpful.  I have a 
> fairly good feel but I wonder if there is some
> theory to help guide me and 
> establish a better music foundation in adding
> this hot tasty segment to my 
> arsenal.
> 
> Thanks in advance for the help.
> 
> Doc           
> Dennis "Doc" Alters

=====
"When you speak of Walter Horton, the first thing you think of is his tone, that big, fat tone."
- ---Li'l Ronnie Owens

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