the_happy_honker
8 posts
Aug 23, 2010
2:06 PM
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I seem to recall a Youtube video in which Adam demonstrates his "two-thumbs-up" cupping technique. Does anyone know which one it is? I've checked videos 000 to 018 without success.
I want to check it because my teacher wants me grip the harp in the classic left thumb-and-forefinger "lobster pinch" style with the harp riding up on the webbing of my hand.
He says that otherwise I'm likely to run into trouble when I try and grip a microphone (lose air-tightness or drop the mic). Right, so I'm thinking I've got to find the video to see how Adam does it. Or maybe you guys can help me out.
Meanwhile, I'm being a good student and trying to get the hang of the lobster pinch, but after 10 days, I still can't get the good ol' wah, pop and squawk I'm used to.
Thanks a lot!
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harmonicanick
858 posts
Aug 23, 2010
2:16 PM
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thumbs-up grip and the problem of getting a good seal, have a look at these threads where it was discussed extensively:
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/430108.htm
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/349975.htm
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OzarkRich
247 posts
Aug 23, 2010
4:10 PM
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Harp Grips:
#043 - reference standard.
#044 - "thumbs up".
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Ozark Rich
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Greg Heumann
724 posts
Aug 23, 2010
6:08 PM
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I know people who use a 2 thumbs up grip while mic'd and get great tone, like Andy Just. But the majority, myself included, that I have seen (and I pay attention to this) are using the "lobster pinch" as you so aptly named it. I honestly believe this is a function of facial shape - I cannot achieve nearly as airtight a cup with two thumbs up - I simply can't.
I think your teacher is wrong to suggest only one way is correct. You should see what works for you.
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/Greg
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conjob
75 posts
Aug 23, 2010
6:16 PM
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here is an index of lessons on you tube for if youre looking for something again:
http://members.cox.net/dmurray777/harpVideo.xml
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LittleJoeSamson
425 posts
Aug 23, 2010
6:45 PM
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MAN ...all people is diFferent.
All gear is different.
All playing styles and talent is , well, different.
I do a sloppy face cup...some very tight, while at times it is loose. My gear, my style, my songs, covers.
No ONE TO FIT ALL. Tight face cups can be good tone, or feedback machines. Pay attention to this.
I do subtle Wah/wahs.Mcx
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kudzurunner
1783 posts
Aug 23, 2010
6:59 PM
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I agree with you, Greg. I always encourage people to try different grips and use what works for them.
Because I play a lot of high-note runs, I've found it easier to use the thumbs-out grip. But I'll be the first to acknowledge that I like the lobster grip for acoustic playing; I get a better Wah! sound off the low notes and the fanning technique is much easier. Since I play amped 95% of the time, that advantage is moot for me, so the high-note-ease thing trumps it.
But I'm sure that there are players who find it easy enough to play high-note runs with the lobster grip.
Individuate!
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Old Dog
71 posts
Aug 23, 2010
7:38 PM
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Wow Conjob, thanks for posting that index. I hadn't seen that before, most awesome!
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I used to be young and foolish. Now I'm not so young.
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Greg Heumann
726 posts
Aug 23, 2010
8:50 PM
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Adam can you clarify? Unless you play upside down or hold the harp in your right hand (and some people DO) then whether you're thumbs up or "lobster" on your left hand wouldn't matter to the high note work, I would think?
From my perspective, if the harp is being held in the left hand and Hole 1 is to the left the RIGHT thumb is up in EITHER grip and simply moved out of the way when you work up high. I've always thought the only difference was in the left hand position - so I'm not sure I understand your post above.
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/Greg
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nacoran
2609 posts
Aug 23, 2010
9:08 PM
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I think you can get a little better grip on the harp with the thumbs up style, but I don't have the chin for it. Too much air leaks out. Maybe I'll shellac my goatee.
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Nate
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SMOKEY
34 posts
Aug 25, 2010
12:23 AM
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I read this article from Brian purdy, on his site http://www.harpgear.com/ might be worth a look.
its under the home page, called how to get better amplified tone.
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captainbliss
268 posts
Aug 25, 2010
1:58 AM
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@the_happy_honker:
I'd avoid the images of "lobster" and "pinch" like the plague. Seems to me that we harmonica players should just be trying to hold the harmonica to our mouths in a relaxed, comfortable and controlled way, not crushing it in our crustacean claws!
So...
There are great players who use the "thumb-under" and great players who use the "thumbs-up."
Both can clearly work and work well.
For what it's worth, I switch between both and find that...
1. I prefer the sounds I get using thumb-under for acoustic playing (which is what I do 99% of the time), particularly on holes 1-3
2. I feel I sound bigger with a cupped mic using thumbs-up
3. (ike Kudzurunner) the runs on the middle and upper octaves of the instrument feel more controlled using thumbs-up
4. I'm really enjoying playing around with a Filisko-style thumb-under hand position, where the harmonica is in the knuckle of the index-finger (as opposed to in the webbing between finger and thumb).
Hope that's of some use!
xxx
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the_happy_honker
9 posts
Aug 25, 2010
3:00 PM
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Thanks everyone for the tips and info!
Not that it matters much, but I realize I didn't make clear in my post that I was using the thumbs-up grip when playing acoustically.
As with so many things in harping (TB vs. LP comes to mind), I guess the real answer is to get comfy doing both and use each according to the situation.
I met up with a guitar-player friend of mine today and he said my thumbs-up cupping was actually too good - my harping sounded muffled and faint. So maybe I could afford to lighten up a bit.
@captainbliss: The Filisko-style grip sounds intrigueing ....
I'm sorry "lobster pinch" doesn't do it for you. The term does however point up one of the disadvantages of the technique, that you risk crushing the cover plates (as I did on my brand-new Manji in A, ouch!) when trying to get an air-tight seal.
With the thumbs-up grip you can squeeze as hard as you want, because the pressure is coming horizontally on the comb, rather than vertically on the cover plates.
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