Hi Sonic Junctioneers - Dennis here with the next section of my 3rd position study piece. Breath control and building up tension while playing in the groove are the main focus points within these sections here. Get ready for some distorted notes, and some 5-hole high draw octaves this time around. It is of the utmost importance that you learn to play without using too much breath…this is, by the way, the Golden Rule of playing harmonica anyway. You will need that breath control to hold these long sustained distorted notes, and to play these draw octaves repeatedly. I you find yourself getting out of breath sometimes while playing, be sure to set aside some practice time to consciously use less air while playing before tackling these sections. You can do it, it just takes a little practice if you are not used to it! Get into the groove and I’ll see you next time
- Dennis Gruenling
Topics and/or subjects covered in this lesson:
3rd Position
Print Chords & Tab
A Harp in the Key of D.
Loop 0:16 8th Chorus Acoustically
Loop 1:10 Breakdown of First 8 Bars
Loop 2:31 Practice Loop First 8 Bars
Loop 2:50 Breakdown of Turnaround
Loop 4:24 Practice Loop of 8th Chorus
Loop 4:55 Breakdown of 4 / 8 Draw Octave
Loop 8:35 Breakdown of First 8 Bars
Loop 11:03 Breakdown of Last 4 Bars
Loop 11:44 Practice Loop of 9th Chorus
Loop 12:13 Practice Loop of 8th and 9th Chorus
Comments
Log in to leave a comment
I think we are playing an A harp in the key of B, are we not. Header keeps saying A harp in key of D (12th pos ?),
I will make sure that header gets changed...thanks for the head's up!
Hi Dennis! I'm curious how you discovered or who told you to play with very little air flow. Because I was started out 7 years ago and then I quit because my lungs kept filling up, it felt like I was running. I had a teacher, and he never told me. But now I'm back in the game so thank you!
It's just part of the reality of what it takes to play well. With less breath your tone is better, your pitch and intonation are better, the techniques you use take less effort, the notes and subtleties are easier to control, you don't go out of breath, etc. I just discovered along the way, that is the only way you can really master this instrument.