[Harp-L] 3 hole draw bends

["John F. Potts" <hvyj@xxxxxxx>]

A while ago there was some very brief discussion about how those who  
are throat players and do not use the tongue to bend can develop  
precision playing the three available draw bends in the 3 hole.   
Iceman, a distinguished instructor and accomplished player, has  
impressive success using certain tongue position techniques, but as  
effective as that may be, it doesn't help those of us that don't use  
the tongue to bend.

Well, I've finally come up with an excercise that's helping me train  
my ear and my throat to get it right.  "I'm a Man" is a well known  
Steve Winwood/Spencer Davis Group tune with a recognizable opening  
lick or head--the same lick is used on the bridge of "Comin' Home  
Baby." It is comprised of 4 notes descending in half steps and is  
easy to identify and remember by ear.  It's also relatively easy to  
hear when it's being played correctly.

Of course, the unbent 3 hole draw and each of the three available  
bends in the 3 hole draw are each a half step apart.  Learn to play  
the "I'm a Man Lick" (four descending half steps) accurately starting  
on 3 draw unbent and you start to develop controlled precision  
hitting the 3 draw bends.  It's easy to hear when you're playing it  
correctly, since it's such a readily identifiable riff, and it's fun  
to practice since the riff sounds so cool if you are playing it right.

The toughest note for me to hit consistently on pitch is the 3 draw  
half step bend which requires more finesse (less breath pressure)  
than one might think.  It's easier to play a blue third or a full  
step bend than it is to hit the half step accurately.  But, anyway,  
this is how i've been occupying my spare time lately.

FWIW.

JP