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Subject: "Playing triplets" Archived thread - Read only
 
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sboudreau
Member since Aug-23-06
21 posts
Apr-01-07, 04:30 PM (PST)
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"Playing triplets"
 
I’m having a hard time playing triplets especially the ones going from blow to draw or draw to blow that are on different holes. Anybody have some good advice in playing them and some exercise that will help?

Thanks


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shaggy
Member since Jan-28-03
240 posts
Apr-02-07, 01:01 AM (PST)
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1. "RE: Playing triplets"
In response to message #0
 
Practise, practise, practise, practise. That's about it. Delbert McClinton once said of learning to play the harp, "After a while it's kinda like masturbation. You fool around with it, you figure it out."

So, play with yourself until you can do it without even thinking about it. That's he only advice I can give on this.

Shaggy


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webmasteradmin
Member since Jan-20-03
2055 posts
Apr-08-07, 02:29 PM (PST)
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2. "RE: Playing triplets"
In response to message #1
 
Stephane,

Practice is almost always the primary answer to every question or problem that is asked here. But, here's a bit of info and a few tips:

From our Terms and Definitions page-
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/terms3.php

Triplet- A triplet is a 3 note rhythmic figure that fits in the space of one foot tap (one beat). Emphasis should be placed on the first note (of the three notes) of every triplet. The triplet is used extensively in blues because triplets work great with shuffled eighth-notes and most of the blues you hear is based on a shuffled eighth-note feel. More on "Shuffled 1/8th Notes"-
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/theory/eighth_notes.php

*The most important point of triplets is to get a very heavy emphasis on the first note of every triplet. Try to exagerate the first note by playing it 2-3 times louder than the other two notes.

*Sing the triplet first before trying to play it. If you can sing it, you not only have sound of the melody in your head, but also the timing and emphasis on the first note.

*If you are having particular problems with the blow-draw patterned triplets, slow it way down and try to feel/hear the heavy emphasis on the first note. If you can't do it correctly slow, then you won't be able to do it correctly fast.

Let me know if any of this helps.

--
Play on,
Dave Gage

Hear Dave Play:
Myspace Jukebox 1
Myspace Jukebox 2

New website: Harmonica 4 Kids.com


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sboudreau
Member since Aug-23-06
21 posts
Apr-11-07, 10:50 AM (PST)
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3. "RE: Playing triplets"
In response to message #2
 
Thanks Dave,
I'm doing better with it, slowing it down with lots of practice and patience help.

I'm still struggling with some, for example the 3 2 1 draw triplets, can't seem to find the right articulation to make it sound right. The HA, HA, HA articulation doesn’t sound good to me at all, and the DA, DA, DA articulation make the 1 draw buzz or bend.


Stéphane


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webmasteradmin
Member since Jan-20-03
2055 posts
Apr-11-07, 01:33 PM (PST)
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4. "RE: Playing triplets"
In response to message #3
 
Stéphane,

A couple of questions/comments for you:

1. I had to copy and paste your name, but can you tell what keyboard combination you use to get the "é" in you name.

2. I don't know what you mean by 3 2 1 draw tripets. Are you talking about playing a chord and tonguing it?

3. If you want to make a recording and have me listen, I can be more specific in my comments-

*CREATE A FREE MYSPACE.COM ARTIST WEBSITE- and load your sound file or files to your Myspace.com site (it's very easy and takes no prior website experience).
http://signup.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=bandjoin
(you need to sign up as an "Artist" (band) to upload music).

--
Play on,
Dave Gage

Hear Dave Play:
Myspace Jukebox 1
Myspace Jukebox 2

New website: Harmonica 4 Kids.com


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sboudreau
Member since Aug-23-06
21 posts
Apr-13-07, 04:45 AM (PST)
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5. "RE: Playing triplets"
In response to message #4
 
Hi Dave,
What I met to say is tonguing it going from 3 to 2 to 1. I think I got it now, I was not playing the first note louder then the other 2 (Should have paid more attention to what you wrote). It's not perfect yet compared to the song I trying to do but its better. I plan on doing a recording in a few months when I’m done the first section of the method book I’m doing, the song will have the triplets that I’m referring to.

To make the é you press ATL 1-3-0, that is you press and hold the ALT key, press 1, 3, 0 on the number key pad (it will not work for the numbers on top of the letter key pad) and release the ALT key. You can find all the codes for the characters on the following link: http://www.asciitable.com/.

Stéphane


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webmasteradmin
Member since Jan-20-03
2055 posts
Apr-13-07, 09:59 AM (PST)
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6. "RE: Playing triplets"
In response to message #5
 
Stéphane,

Based on what you wrote, you may not want to wait a few months on the recording. Let me hear what you are doing now, so I can possibly save you some time if you are on the wrong track. Have you taken a look at our blues riff triplets?
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/improv_riffs.php

There's not too much there, but I can add more here if you have an interest.
--

I'm on a Mac, so your tip didn't help, but it inspired me to do a google search and find the key combo for "é" (OPTION + e, release keys and press e again). (Now if I can just remember it.)

--
Play on,
Dave Gage

Hear Dave Play:
Myspace Jukebox 1
Myspace Jukebox 2

New website: Harmonica 4 Kids.com


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