How Does He Do That?

[Halifax]

Like many of you, I suppose, I've been greatly enjoying Cormac Begely's new solo album. I'm wondering if any of you have an idea of how he seems to bend some of his notes. Air flow? Half-pressed buttons? Any insights?

 

[Dana Johnson]

Barely pressing the button sometimes by resting your finger above it on the end plate and tilting your finger to carefully lower the button while applying a bit more pressure/ vacuum works to flatten the note given sufficient air flow. Also, lighter reeds will blow flat when enough pressure is applied, especially on the low end, ( or all of them on his low box). For a slide effect, you can go from the note below to the one above sort of like a reverse cut ( notes need to be in the same direction) but slurring them together. I suppose you can do this in reverse, but it hasn't occurred to me in a musical context. I do mash on the bellows to bend notes on a couple airs, but use the slide more often.

Dana

[Halifax]

Thanks, Dana. I am loving the possibilities! You've given me some good information here.

Best,

Christine

[Bill Crossland]

There is an entertaining extended interview with Cormac on Paula Carrolls West Wind, on Mar 29th, in which he explains how he gets the bend...

 

http://www.clare.fm/featured-2/west-wind-wednesday-290317/

[Halifax]

Thanks, Bill!