RE: [Harp-L] A vibrato related question

["MLeFree" <mlefree@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Alexander Savelyev writes:
> Dear Michelle,
>
> You are right about the diaphragm vibrato, that it is impressive and
> worth get one's hands on, etc.
>
> But in replying to the Bob's question on the type of vibrato used
> at/since 1:55 (time) you are leading Bob astray. Maybe unintentially,
> but anyway your answer is not correct. PLease give it a listen once
> again and tell me if I'm wrong. Even if it were a diaphragm vibrato it
> would be extremely difficult to reach that amplitude just sitting at the
> chair.
>
> In addition it's possible to do it when puckering with no problem -
> with no drop in expression.
>
> Have you mastered that type of vibrato used at 1:55? If yes then I
> expect a reply from you soon with the correct answer:)
>
> Best,
>
>
> Alex

Thanks for the reply, Alex (and Matt Smart, Ben Bouman and of course, Tim
Moyer...  8^)

I decided to put the questions to Ronnie hisself via his youtube site.
Here's what I wrote:

Hey, Ronnie -
I seem to have sparked some controversy on harp-l about your technique. I
say you are tongue blocking much of the time (but not exclusively) others
say you are a puckerer only. I also say that your vibrato at about 1:55 on
"Funky Blues Harp" is a combo diaphragmatic/hand vibrato. Others say its a
throat/hand vibrato. It's pretty fast (and very cool!), so maybe they are
right. Can you set me (us?) straight?
Thanks,
Michelle
Montrose, Colorado

And Ronnie's Reply:

Michelle,
Glad to hear there's some controversy over my playing. Hopefully that's a
good thing.
To start, I tongue block, but not exclusively, you're right. Remember,
certain techniques require tongue blocking (octaves, flutters, slaps, side
to side warbles). I, however, also tonque block certain single note runs as
well in the middle of the harp, particularly 4-8 holes. I do pucker the
majority of the quicker runs.
As for the sound at 1:55, that is a combo of diaphragm, tonque and jaw
technique. The diaphragm is working a quick vibrato while the tonque/jaw are
doing a pumping action to enhance and speed up the vibrato even more. I sort
of stumble upon it on my own, I wasn't taught this one. I don't here many
players using it, but i'm sure plenty are capable of it.
One last thing, my upcoming instructional dvds/google videos will be out by
early August. That's the plan at least, and Bill yes I will be doing
thorough instruction, not just playing. Anyone can email me at
shellist@xxxxxxxxxxx for the lowdown, ok. Thanks and hopefully I'll see you
guys out at SPAH. I'll be there for a couple of days this year. Take care
and feel free to copy and paste this on harp-l.
Ronnie Shellist

He also added an daddendum:

> and i am also bending the note while doing what i described at 1:55

And I see that Ronnie wants to post to harp-l directly, which would be cool.

So, I guess we were all right to one extent or another. I do admit that, in
re-reading my post, I sounded a bit too high on my horse. I admit to getting
carried away when we talk about great harpers whom I've met FTF like Ronnie.

Again, thanks for the replies, and a special thanks to Ronnie for answering
my query so promptly. And another hats off to Bob Laughlin for putting
Ronnie's youtube site on the "harp-l map."

Michelle

BTW, Alex, I certainly don't claim to have perfected ~anything~
harmonica-wise! But I am carefully studying Ronnie's vibrato, as I haven't
had the kind of results Matt and Ben refer to with ~my~ tongue vibrato.

Previous posts:
> >>> "MLeFree" <mlefree@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> 22.07.2006 3:19:48 >>>
> Bob Laughlin writes:
> > I found this guy, Ronnie Shellist, on Youtube.com, doing a search
> > for "harmonica" clips.
> >
> > Here's the clip in question:
> >
> > http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hs_OchfmBc8
> >
> > First, this guy is, if I am not mistaken, tongue blocking? I use
> > pucker exclusively, have for thirty-some years, save for octaves,
> > and resist the idea of changing my whole approach at this late
> > date, but there are things I simply cannot do with pucker alone.
> >
> > Next, at 1:55 into the clip he uses a kind of vibrato (along with
> > hand effects) that sounds like what I would call "phasing",,I've
> > heard others do this, but never found out how to do it myself, to
> > any degree. Is it done with the diaphragm? the throat? the
> > tongue? It's something I definitely want to add to my harp tool-bag.
> >
> > Thanks in advance.
> >
> > Bob Laughlin, Stater Brothers resident whistler and harp player,
> > Huntington Beach, Ca
>
> Well, Bob, first I have to thank you for pointing us to Ronnie Shellist's
> videos on youtube.com. They're great! I wish there were more than 8. I
hope
> he'll continue to add more.
>
> Ronnie is a *superb* Denver harper, and yes he is a tongue blocker.
> He's got all the techniques nailed. A joy to watch and listen to. His
youtube
> videos are a super opportunity to watch a terrific harmonicist in action.
They
> tell much about his technique if you know what to look for and watch them
> closely. I'm hoping Ronnie shows up at SPAH, 'cuz he'll raise the bar
> fer sure.
>
> As to the vibrato, Ronnie uses his diaphragm. Contrary to an earlier post
> you just can't get that kind of compression with a tongue vibrato. Learn
to
> cultivate a good diaphragmatic vibrato and you will reap many rewards.
> You may have noticed that Ronnie has terrific hand technique, too. The
> combination of a strong diaphragmatic vibrato and great hand technique
> (along with his tongue blocking) puts Ronnie near the top of my list of
> blues harpers. I just wish he was more visible in the harmonica community
> because his input would be quite valuable. I'd like to know who he
> learned from, for one thing (who is JP Allen?). I'm waiting for that CD of
his,
> too.
>
> And, yes, here are ~lots~ of things you can do with TB'ing that you can
only
> simulate with puckering. I've just begun to scratch the surface of
> 'em...
> 8^)
>
> Hoping to see a bunch of y'all at SPAH!
>
> Michelle