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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! > Single note problems
Single note problems
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Avtandil
1 post
Jun 15, 2017
9:43 PM
Hi everyone. Could you tell me which harmonica model has bigger spacing between holes on the comb, really struggling to play clear single notes, so noticed that some models have wider dividers then others
Thank you all
STME58
1988 posts
Jun 15, 2017
9:59 PM
I have a Seydel Nobel and a Crossover in my hand right now and the Seydel is a few millimeters longer across the 10 holes. WHen playing them, I don't notice at all. I can easily switch between the and I don't find single notes any easier to hit on the Seydel. They are both fine instruments. Stock, I would say I prefer the Seydel, but since I had Joe Speirs set up the Crossover, it is now in another league of playability.
Avtandil
2 posts
Jun 15, 2017
10:08 PM
Thank you
jpmcbride
162 posts
Jun 15, 2017
10:59 PM
Avandil,

It seems tough as a beginner to get clear single notes, but it will come over time. Bigger or smaller dividers won't make any difference. Just keep at it and you'll get there.


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Jim McBride
Bottle 'O Blues microphones
www.bottleoblues.com
Avtandil
3 posts
Jun 16, 2017
3:08 AM
Coming to that conclusion too, need more practice
WinslowYerxa
1333 posts
Jun 16, 2017
6:11 AM
For some perspective, here's Paul McCartney playing a tiny four-hole harmonica. The holes are only about 2mm wide, yet you can learn to play clear single notes on it:


===========
Winslow

Check out my blog and other goodies at winslowyerxa.com
Harmonica For Dummies, Second Edition with tons of new stuff
Join us in 2017 for SPAH in Tulsa!

Last Edited by WinslowYerxa on Jun 16, 2017 6:12 AM
EddieBlz
7 posts
Jun 16, 2017
6:33 AM
"Coming to that conclusion too, need more practice"
Me to.
Avtandil
4 posts
Jun 16, 2017
7:20 AM
Thank you, Winslow
dougharps
1468 posts
Jun 16, 2017
8:09 AM
Whether you used tongue blocking or some form of lip pursing or blocking the common factor is a fairly relaxed embouchure.

Most beginners, especially lip pursing, create a tight, tense embouchure that leads to fatigue and thins the tone. Just gently adjust to get one note, relax, and breathe through it.
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Doug S.
Raven
98 posts
Jun 16, 2017
9:09 AM
The trip to single notes is the same as the route to Carnegie Hall...
Avtandil
5 posts
Jun 16, 2017
12:39 PM
Thank you guys for all your advice, I'll certainly try it
WinslowYerxa
1334 posts
Jun 16, 2017
2:24 PM
What dougharps said. ^^
===========
Winslow

Check out my blog and other goodies at winslowyerxa.com
Harmonica For Dummies, Second Edition with tons of new stuff
Join us in 2017 for SPAH in Tulsa!
The Iceman
3182 posts
Jun 16, 2017
4:32 PM
This is my intro to blues harmonica for my beginning students for their first lesson.

Fetch a glass of water. Have a seat. Now, take a sip of water. Notice that as you raise that glass towards your lips, you are not staring intently at it nor do you stop it 6 inches from your mouth and purse your lips, reaching towards it. You rest it on your lower lip (which is relaxed and "spongy" - no muscle tension) and tilt the glass at maybe a 45 degree angle to allow the water to flow into your mouth. You don't "suck" the water in. Everything is relaxed and natural, because you no longer need to think of every movement and motion...your whole life, you just raise that glass and drink without any thought at all. No muscle tension anywhere. If you purse and tighten your lips forward, the water may just run down your chin by leaking out at the sides where your mouth is in contact with the glass.

This is exactly the relaxed and natural attitude that you should bring to your harmonica.

So, raise that harmonica right to your lips, let it rest on your lower lip and tilt it up 45 degrees. Allow your upper lip to rest on the top cover plate - you can actually allow the harmonica to go semi deep into your mouth. At this point, it is easier to work with the student live and in person to help him understand how to get a single note, but I can say this - you do not have to make the opening in your mouth as small as that chamber opening on the harmonica comb. The posts on either side of each hole are solid, as is the top and bottom cover plates, so no air will leak in or out here. Now, it is easy to imagine your embouchure as being pretty large, yet it is still a single note one.

As you take a drink of water, so shall you breathe your harmonica.

It's a great starting point and sidesteps all the unlearning folk need to do when they approach the harmonica incorrectly from day 1.
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The Iceman

Last Edited by The Iceman on Jun 16, 2017 5:01 PM
garry
679 posts
Jun 16, 2017
5:18 PM
@Iceman: nice approach.

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Avtandil
6 posts
Jun 16, 2017
9:40 PM
Wow iceman that's very good explanation
Thank you so much
Martin
1189 posts
Jun 17, 2017
6:50 AM
I have a tape somewhere of Don Les where he improvises rather fluently on a Little Lady four-hole harp. I think the tune is "After you´ve gone".
dougharps
1472 posts
Jun 17, 2017
7:23 AM
@The Iceman

Nice!

I wish I hadn't learned the hard way in the '70s, self taught with Glover's book, then unlearning bad habits over time. When I started playing I would get lip fatigue from tensing. I also blew and drew far too hard. I finally corrected a lot of errors and am still adjusting some areas of playing as I learn new techniques.
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Doug S.


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