MadKarateMan
3 posts
Jan 22, 2017
3:11 PM
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hi everyone,
New to the forum. I posted this in the incorrect section (blues talk) and figured it should go here.
Been playing 10 months and did a 10 week group course under Greg Miller in London last year. Now back home but sadly although my home town (Canberra, Australia) has a blues society, there's no harp teacher. In any case, my problem is this: I've started to tongue block but man, the amount of saliva I produce as soon as my tongue touches the comb is ridiculous. I have to constantly tap the harp to get rid of the friggin' spit!
Has anyone else run into this problem? If so, how did you solve it?
Thanks, Peter
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Fil
266 posts
Jan 22, 2017
4:18 PM
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Yes, had the problem. Over time (not a whole lot) the problem seemed mostly to go away. Some of my problem I think was related to playing while looking down at the ipad teaching videos. I don't tongue block much, but as its become a more comfortable technique and my mouth and tongue have relaxed, things have dried out. Time, time, and more time on task....
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Phil Pennington
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Killa_Hertz
2130 posts
Jan 22, 2017
8:09 PM
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Welcome to the forum MadKarateMan.
Theres quite a few members on this site and Facebook that are from Australia.
Also I would suggest an online teaching meathod.
For Tongue Block specific teaching David Barret is the man. Check him out at Bluesharmonica.com . Also Dennis Gruenling is great and does skype lessons.
My first point of advice would be:
Perhaps the brass in the reedplate is causing a reaction causing you to salivate.
What kind of harp are you using?
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MindTheGap
2062 posts
Jan 23, 2017
1:15 AM
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Welcome. Yes this is the correct place for saliva-themed discussions.
My experience was like Fil's. It was a bit of a problem at first, and went away over time. Other wind instruments also need your have the 'right amount of spit' available so I think it's normal that you gradually work out what that is.
Some people have said that tilting the harp up in your mouth is helpful with this. I guess that also squares with Fil's looking down at the ipad thing.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Jan 23, 2017 1:17 AM
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MadKarateMan
4 posts
Jan 23, 2017
2:45 PM
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Saliva themed discussions..... makes me feel a bit queasy!
Thanks for the responses everyone. I currently own a Key of C and A Marine Band Harps. Brand new, they are cheap here in Canberra - at $40AUS each. The key of C that I bought in London set me back 40 pounds.
The general consensus is that it simply takes time to control for saliva.
I've purchased Adam's Deluxe Beginner package which I've completed and also purchased the St Louise Blues video and tab tutorial. Its the result of learning the St Louise Blues material with the tongue blocking within the piece that prompted me to post here.
And thanks for teacher recommendation comments - have inspected all websites and yet to make a decision which way to go. I'm liking the David Barret graded levels of achievement classes and the cost of $199.95 for a full year is actually pretty cheap.
Cheers!
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Mirco
458 posts
Jan 23, 2017
5:04 PM
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It's natural that you salivate more when you put the harmonica in your mouth. Your body has been programmed to salivate when things are in your mouth (for digestion). You will adjust to this over time, meaning that your body will stop doing this to such an extreme degree.
In the meantime, the back of your harp up. Gravity will help a little to keep saliva out of the reeds and prevent them from sticking. (This also has the added benefit of opening up your embouchure.)
Another temporary measure, until your body adjusts: Tap out your harp when you have a break in the music to allow it.
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Marc Graci
YouTube Channel
Last Edited by Mirco on Jan 23, 2017 5:05 PM
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Killa_Hertz
2133 posts
Jan 23, 2017
5:24 PM
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If you are interested in Dave Barrets site .... you can get a 30 day free trial with the code inside your hohner box.
Adams lessons were very helpful for me. I love them.
Ronnie Shellist also has some great lessons at harmonica123.com
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MadKarateMan
5 posts
Jan 24, 2017
1:13 PM
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Ahh, i didn't know that - awesome! Thanks, Hertz.
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eetechTom
20 posts
Jan 25, 2017
9:36 AM
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Thanks for the post Madman, I have the same issue myself. Recently started tipping the harp back and it seems to help.
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Future location of my really cool signature.
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UniPsychoMan
13 posts
Jan 26, 2017
2:53 AM
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When I play Straight Harp I have more of a problem with saliva than when I play Cross Harp. Presumably this is because Cross harp emphasises draw notes more, and drawing keeps the saliva in my mouth. If I do a lot of straight harp I try and angle the harp up so saliva drains back.
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