Okay, so there is the basic pincer grip where you hold the harmonica between your thumb and pointer and rest the end of it against where they meet (I usually have my pointer and my middle finger on top of the harp and my ring finger and pinky curled behind it), and there is the thumbs up grip a lot of us use to cup a mic...
Are there other common ones? Those are the two I use... sometimes if I'm trying to do something with my other hand I do a little C shaped thing with my left hand with my pointer curled, but that really is pretty close to just being half of the thumbs up grip.
And then, just because I stumbled on it while searching to see if anyone was doing it differently...
I googled grips and found a harmonica gripping device for chromatics... not related to my question but I thought it was kind of clever if anyone wants to check it out...
I have my left thumb on the bottom and left index finger on the top with the ring and pinky curled down a bit - like you do, Nate. My right thumb is often covering some of the holes at the high end of the harp. I try not to do that if I want to move quickly to play the high holes.
Personally, I believe the words used by harmonica players can sometimes work against the best techniques - like saying "Blow" "suck" and "grip"....
"grip" - take and keep a firm hold of; grasp tightly. "his knuckles were white as he gripped the steering wheel"
I believe the best way to hold the harmonica is with the least amount of muscle tension possible, so don't like that word "grip". I like "hold" - ---------- The Iceman
I'm with Iceman here. Don't squash those covers! I use a right hand thumb under, index over, but it changes as necessary. I sometimes use a very open hold depending on what kind of sound- acoustic street, or conversely into a vocal mic on a stage. I also cup pretty tight as needed. But it's been a very long time since I had a cover leak due to compression in the middle. ---------- Music and travel destroy prejudice.
I'm with Iceman here. Don't squash those covers! I use a right hand thumb under, index over, but it changes as necessary. I sometimes use a very open hold depending on what kind of sound- acoustic street, or conversely into a vocal mic on a stage. I also cup pretty tight as needed. But it's been a very long time since I had a cover leak due to compression in the middle. ---------- Music and travel destroy prejudice.
Not arguing with you Iceman. :) I just need to know if there are any I'm missing that would be recognizable enough for an art project I'm doing with a friend.
Aside from the real oddballs, the harp in the mouth in various ways, racks, playing in your nose holding it in place with your upper lip or the famous butt cheek one someone posted on the forum how to page, can anyone thing of any recognizable ones?
I'm hands up,slot the harp in between both thumbs and forefingers..works for acoustic and amped.The result might depend on the size of your hands though i suppose.
