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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
That Coughin' Sound or The Annoying Grunt
That Coughin' Sound or The Annoying Grunt
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Lil'Danny
4 posts
Jan 17, 2015
8:27 AM
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I'm what I would consider an advanced beginner, playing harp again after a year long layoff. I was gigging for a while, splitting between harp and guitar, but there always seemed to be a better harp player sitting in, so I let it go.
What brings me here is that when I'm switching from a draw-note to a blow-note, especially at a quick tempo, I keep getting a grunt sound, almost as if my throat is closing up or I'm out of air.
Are there any exercises I can do to clean this out? Thanks!
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Dog Face
288 posts
Jan 17, 2015
10:14 AM
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Just breath!
I have a grunt/cough/noise thing that I do. It just started happening and now it's a part of my playing. Sometimes I HAVE to do it to breath. A lot of players do it. It's almost a percussive element now and I embrace it.
I guess in theory if you slow down and just breath then you won't make a cough. (It doesn't happen when I'm playing slow.)
EDIT: Played around and tried to get that sound (when going from a draw note to blow). I only got it when I wasn't separating my notes with my tongue.
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Brad
Last Edited by Dog Face on Jan 17, 2015 2:46 PM
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Harmlessonica
7 posts
Jan 17, 2015
11:40 AM
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Hey, Danny. As a 'beginner-beginner' I'm not sure I'm qualified to offer advice, but here's a suggestion...
In my (limited) experience, at faster speeds, articulation is key to regulating airflow - both from the source (the player) and acting upon the reeds.
Sometimes when I'm too preoccupied with trying to remember which hole to play next, etc I forget to articulate - and even if I think my breathing from the diaphragm is steady, I will hear unevenness in the tone. Some notes will 'squawk' for example.
I find that when I'm consistent with articulation, the tongue helps clip and smooth the airflow and I have less of these problems.
Hope that helps.
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