LumberjackShark
1 post
Nov 15, 2012
12:52 PM
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OK, I've been playing for less than a year. I started out putting the harp in my right hand, cupping with my left and it sort-of looks like how Gussow does it... but only sort-of (with his thumbs on both sides). It feels really natural and comfortable to me. I keep trying to use the traditional position with my left hand. I admit the left hand way gives a great cupping sound. But, it seems to get in the way of my upper lip. How much does it really matter? Should I be worried all that much about it?
OK, let'er rip....
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Jehosaphat
342 posts
Nov 15, 2012
1:04 PM
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If you going to play amplified harp the right cup is essential to good tone.
What is 'right' is entirely up to you in that we all have different sized hands and therefore have to find our own comfort zone.
I would guess that 90% of players use Adams style to give them a tight cup.
Personally my left hand cramps if i even try to use it in the 'campfire' style.I have tto use the two thumbs up even when playing accoustically.
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bluemoose
817 posts
Nov 15, 2012
1:07 PM
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You want to hold the harp with your non-drinking hand.
You will thank me for this advice in the future.
MBH Webbrain - a GUI guide to Adam's Youtube vids
FerretCat Webbrain - Jason Ricci's vids (by hair colour!)
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tookatooka
3136 posts
Nov 15, 2012
1:18 PM
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Personally I don't think it matters which hand you favour. I hold in the right hand and cup with my left. There are a few old masters who are/were right handed too.
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the_happy_honker
138 posts
Nov 15, 2012
2:27 PM
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On the one hand, I suspect it doesn't make all that much difference.
On the other hand:
In general, you should fight for every inch of tone you can get. Be obsessed with it and in time, all the myriad adjustments you make will add up and make a noticeable difference.
So if you find you get better tone gripping the harp left-handed, then by all means do it that way. After a while, it will feel more natural.
Your hand should not be getting in the way of your upper lip. Try giving your mouth more room on the harp by moving your thumb and index finger towards the back. Granted, there isn't much room. On a Marine Band, the back edges of the cover plates runs down the middle of my thumb and forefinger, and the left side sits high in the webbing. That is a pretty precarious way to hold the harp, but it seems to work, nonetheless. You will be able to put the harp deeper in your mouth and get better tone.
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Greg Heumann
1846 posts
Nov 15, 2012
6:19 PM
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A good cup is a good cup and has a HUGE impact on your tone. Yes, it matters. A good grip is one that seals the back of the harp to a closed chamber consisting of hands or hands + Mic, AND one that blocks the unplayed holes on the front of the harp. The latter part is rarely discussed and extremely important as a lot of sound pressure can escape out the front of the harp - which reduce the effect of hand wah's dramatically, whether amplified or not.
The only thing is that there are some positions work amplified and not acoustic, and vice versa. I use a left hand grip and it works for me for both. I have NEVER been able to get a good cup with a two thumbs up grip - but I know others who can. Agree with Jehosephat that were all different in this regard. I'm only trying to add that IF you think you want to play amplified some times, you might want to practice with a mic in your hand sometimes as well - so that you don't put a lot of energy into a grip that might not serve you well later.
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/Greg
Last Edited by on Nov 15, 2012 6:20 PM
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arzajac
889 posts
Nov 15, 2012
6:41 PM
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I must emphatically agree with everything Greg just said.
I used Adam's grip for a almost three years. I pretty much only played acoustically. When I picked up a mic, it took me a while to get used to it.
I found that switching to the "reference-standard" way of holding the harp (harp in left hand between thumb and first finger and the other hand forming the cup) I could play miced a lot more comfortably. That was only my first impression, though. After a few hours of practice, I naturally adjusted my grip to form a tighter cup and was literally blown away by the tone I could create. There is no way I could create that tone using the former grip.
So even if you don't own an amp, pick up a mic and practice holding both the harp and the mic while you play.
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The Iceman
511 posts
Nov 15, 2012
7:45 PM
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Two items to consider for darker cupping tone
1. Press the upper end of the harmonica into your cheek for a more complete seal
2. Don't fatigue your hands. If they feel stiff or tired, you are using too much muscle energy.
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The Iceman
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