Posted by Jerryrig240 on September 2, 2009 at 3:50pm
Okay, this morning when I was surfing around I was under the understand that cross harp was a term used when you are wanting to play a song in one key, but have the harmonica be used as a fill or another sound I guess in another key. Then the more I read, the more I have learned that you can play strait harp which would be the same key of the song, cool, and cross of course. Now I found a web site that says you can play cross harp in different positoins on a single harmonica. Example. C harmonica, but if you want to play in the key of G on a C harp, it would be cross harping I guess. So this is telling me that is why so many harp players carry different keys with them on stage, so they don't have to do all the music math in their head and just change harps on the fly. So I am guessing someone that is really good at harp can cross harp in 2 diff keys on a single harp. So what I am geting at is cross harp is a term that is used a bit too loose? Or am I thinking too deep into all of this? Anyhow, here is a link to the site I am talking abouthttp://www.riccardos.org/harmonicas/theory/positions.shtml
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I've got that book, it's pretty good. These things are very hard to describe to someone how to do.
The best I can think of for getting a bent "blow" note (and I'm no expert) is to really purse your lips to make a smaller stream of air and blow HARD. Try to experiment with changing the direction of the air stream as well, like you're trying to bounce it off the side of the harp's soundhole instead of going straight in.
I find I can get several different tones on the draw by trying to change the air-stream direction. It's like trying to pull the air "down" into the bottom of your mouth.
That sounds odd, and I'm sure that's not what's really happening, but it does seem to work.
So that sounds as though i should "give up" on the bending of blow notes(Great) :) It does say something why cross harp is more popular, as most of the bending notes you would use are draw notes ( I hope I have got that right)
It is good to be playing again. I started playing in Sri Lanka in boarding school when i was 10 years old, 61 years later i still enjoy it. (Good job I never smoked!)
Must learn some blues tunes.
Tres Seaver said:
Brian Lemin said:
OK. I Can bend draw notes when practicing to draw on one specific note. Cant do it whilst playing a tune.
Cant bend and blow notes!
You're in good company: according to my Tony Glover "Blues Harp - Instructional Method" (one of the first books ever published on the subject), bending on the blow notes is at least 134 times harder than bending on draw notes.
OK. I Can bend draw notes when practicing to draw on one specific note. Cant do it whilst playing a tune.
Cant bend and blow notes!
You're in good company: according to my Tony Glover "Blues Harp - Instructional Method" (one of the first books ever published on the subject), bending on the blow notes is at least 134 times harder than bending on draw notes.
I play my cbg in AEA and so my harp is in D.I tell people who ask that I play in A cos it suits my voice which is a half truth (what I dont tell them is its easier to bend a harp in D than it is say a harp in A or F.) I dunno why it is- maybe the reeds are physically longer and therefor harder to bend?
dunno if this helps!
btw,I learned the very little I know listening to Jimmy Reed then just endlessly playing his riffs til I got it down.I recommend Jimmy-he's great.
I have bought a Lee Oscar in G, and have just finished reading the leaflet. For a start i did not know that not all the notes could/needed to be bent. I am beginning to understand "cross harp" but still confused to some extent.
The leaflet says to play in cross harp, 2nd position I would draw on #2. That seems OK but is that equivalent to the lower note of the scale?
Just been away and blown it. love it, getting some change in note but not the lovely bend i hear in others.
You are going to say practice. I am going to Google the subject and see if i can find some lessons.
tinyguitars said:
Hmm, how confusing is that? LOL! if you're tuned DAD, then I would suggest buying a Hi G tuned harp, I just don't like the lower tuned ones, no volume
Wes Yates said:
... or do you mean DAD CBG?
Brian Lemin said:
Goping to buy a harp tomorrow to play with my Dad CBG. What key shall i buy pleasae? The easiest as i have not yet learned to bend notes!.
1st, 2nd position is typically used for major key songs. 3rd & 5th positions are ideal for and often used for minor key songs. Highly skilled harp players can play in all 12 keys with one harp. Check out Howard Levy. Jimmy Reed & Bob Dylan played in 1st allot. Charlie Musselwhite on the other hand uses 3rd, 4th & 5th positions allot. I use 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 5th most of the time depending on the feel of the song. Playing in different positions adds variety and style to the music being played. It's like using different types (Strat, Les Paul) of guitars for certain songs.
Replies
The best I can think of for getting a bent "blow" note (and I'm no expert) is to really purse your lips to make a smaller stream of air and blow HARD. Try to experiment with changing the direction of the air stream as well, like you're trying to bounce it off the side of the harp's soundhole instead of going straight in.
I find I can get several different tones on the draw by trying to change the air-stream direction. It's like trying to pull the air "down" into the bottom of your mouth.
That sounds odd, and I'm sure that's not what's really happening, but it does seem to work.
It is good to be playing again. I started playing in Sri Lanka in boarding school when i was 10 years old, 61 years later i still enjoy it. (Good job I never smoked!)
Must learn some blues tunes.
Tres Seaver said:
You're in good company: according to my Tony Glover "Blues Harp - Instructional Method" (one of the first books ever published on the subject), bending on the blow notes is at least 134 times harder than bending on draw notes.
Cant bend and blow notes!
dunno if this helps!
btw,I learned the very little I know listening to Jimmy Reed then just endlessly playing his riffs til I got it down.I recommend Jimmy-he's great.
The leaflet says to play in cross harp, 2nd position I would draw on #2. That seems OK but is that equivalent to the lower note of the scale?
Just been away and blown it. love it, getting some change in note but not the lovely bend i hear in others.
You are going to say practice. I am going to Google the subject and see if i can find some lessons.
tinyguitars said:
Brian Lemin said:
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