528hemi
212 posts
May 28, 2011
5:52 PM
|
Do most of you pivot the Harp when sliding up or down the harp ( angle it in opposite directions depending if you are sliding up or down the harp?) or do you keep it for the most part parallel to your mouth?
Thanks
528hemi
|
Oisin
803 posts
May 28, 2011
10:05 PM
|
I have never really thought about that before Hemi but I've just stuck a harp inmy mouth and yes it is pivoted downwards when I play, but it is level horizontally. Is this what you mean?
I think in my case this might be because I have an overbite, i.e when I clench my teeth together my top teeth overlap my bottom ones.
----------
Oisin
|
hvyj
1406 posts
May 28, 2011
11:53 PM
|
Yep. I pivot. It's faster. BBQBob was discussing this in a thread here on MBH a few days ago.
|
mojojojo
78 posts
May 29, 2011
6:39 AM
|
I pivot a lot now... to get a 3draw bend with a 4 draw added it helps. I also get a different type of warble by anchoring 6 or 7 draw in the right corner of my mouth and pivoting/rocking left side of harp further and closer.
I also rock the harp like a rocking chair, rocking it left and right. Maybe have a few draw holes together deep in right side of mouth then pivot it quickly so that left side is deep. Not that great but it's different.
----------
I suck at harmonica!
Jakarta River Blues Band
JRB's facebook news and vidz
|
528hemi
213 posts
May 29, 2011
6:24 PM
|
Thanks for the replies. With all the lessons and such on youtube, I have never ran into anyone talking about it but recently when I was trying to do do some slides I found by pivoting I wqas able to play faster and more clear....I guess the saying is if it works then do it. :)
528hemi
|
nacoran
4154 posts
May 29, 2011
7:25 PM
|
On fast warbles I and runs I actually do something a little different that saves a lot of wear and tear on the lips. I keep my bottom lip loose. That lip sticks to the harmonica; it doesn't slide at all- it just mushes around. I leave a small gap between my top lip and the harp. When I'm blowing it creates a little air cushion like an air hockey puck. There is no friction in the system at all except a teeny bit at the corner of the mouth. I think pivoting is actually a similar technique. By changing the angle of the harp you move the hole in the harp and the hole between your lips closer together with less actual lateral movement, so there is less friction.
Ironically, for all the effort I put into saving my lips I pretty much needlessly destroy my hands playing. On bends I squeeze the harp like I'm trying to juice it. It's like I'm channeling all of my angst into the harmonica. It doesn't effect the tone at all but after a solo I feel like I've been breaking rocks all day.
----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
|
ElkRiverHarmonicas
690 posts
May 30, 2011
11:19 AM
|
I think just about everybody pivots, especially if they play fast. It's a natural reaction. It doesn't take long to figure out that, on a harmonica, the quickest way between two points is not a straight line...
----------
David
Elk River Harmonicas
Elk River Harmonicas on Facebook
"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato." - Lewis Grizzard
"Also, drinking homemade beer." - David Payne
|
