How to Achieve Valved Bends and Integrate Them into Songs
CourseHarmonicaJazzIntermediate
Part ofHarmonica

How to Achieve Valved Bends and Integrate Them into Songs

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Duration50m
Modules10
LevelIntermediate
LanguageEnglish

Lesson Plan (0h 50m)

About this course

PT Gazell is a master of the diatonic harmonica who spent years as a sought-after session player and sideman in Nashville before half valving changed the way he plays. In this course he shows you how to get valved bends clean and in tune, then how to use them as a musical voice rather than a trick.

You'll refine your bending technique through a set of hands-on exercises with downloadable PDFs, explore the emotional shading the Gazell method opens up, and learn to play in 5th position minor as an alternative to 3rd position minor. To put it into a real musical context you'll work a valve blow bend into the melody of "My Romance" and learn the jazz blues tune "Sugar", head and solo. You'll need a Gazell Method key of Ab half-valved harmonica to play along.

Who it's for

  • Intermediate harmonica players ready to refine their bending
  • Returning players exploring half valved technique for the first time
  • Blues and jazz fans wanting more expressive phrasing

What you'll learn

  • Bend cleanly and in tune on valved notes
  • Weave valved and non-valved bends through full melodies
  • Play the jazz blues tune Sugar, head and solo

What you'll need

  • A Gazell Method half-valved harmonica in Ab
  • Printed practice PDFs and a quiet place to play
  • 20 minutes a day, four days a week

Meet the Guru

PT Gazell

PT Gazell

PT Gazell has earned his position as a master of the diatonic harmonica. After years as the sought-after side man and session player for some of Nashville's greatest, PT discovered half-valving and his music literally soared to new heights.

No other player combines his phrasing, melodic style, song choices and improvisational abilities the way he does - in the end, it is a style all his own. Using his own signature instrument, the Gazell Method diatonic manufactured by Seydel, PT proves that the harmonica is capable of far more than most of us believe.

Dig it!

In his courses, PT teaches half-valving straight from the source - so you can get started with the Gazell Method, master valved bends, and bring them into your own songs.

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