coolsuperman
1 post
Jul 04, 2012
5:47 AM
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hey everybody i am a new member, my english is very very bad so sorry , here is my problem:i can't hold the harmonica properly when i am using lip blocking embouchure my upper lip covers all the upper cover plate so there is no place left for my index finger and thumb to hold the harmonica
any help would be greatly appreciated.
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eharp
1850 posts
Jul 04, 2012
5:55 AM
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i think jon gindick has a vid on this subject. i think you just need to get your fingers all the way to the edge of the harp.
personally, i use the cup the water style of holding the harp.
the harp is held by both hands where the thumb and finger meet.
then when i cup, the left goes down and is covered by the right.
it is how you would drink water out of a river.
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harpdude61
1468 posts
Jul 04, 2012
6:08 AM
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Sounds like you have the perfect lip block embouchure with the back of the harp tilted up.
My left index finger rides along the back of the top coverplate while the top of the finger actually touches the bottom of my nose.
Sometimes for a relaxed seal on a big note, the lip actually hangs over the back of my GM while the left index finger rests between the lip and nose without actually touching the harmonica.
Try not to shape your lips in a kiss shape. Think more of almost falling asleep with mouth relaxed and barely open. Shaping causes tension and limits what you can do movement-wise around the harp,plus it shrinks your resonance chamber.
The lip block technique is a little different than TBing but with practice you can get the great seal and the fat tone.
Last Edited by on Jul 04, 2012 6:14 AM
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laurent2015
297 posts
Jul 04, 2012
8:52 AM
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Is that the "deep relaxed" embouchure as advised by Dave Barrett?
Does the lower lip really come a bit over the holes?
And if yes, where do you find the space to put the tongue when tongue blocking?
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harpdude61
1469 posts
Jul 04, 2012
11:37 AM
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This is a lip blocking technique. Great for single notes, double stops, and chords. Especially good for overblows, overdraws, and bending both of those up. Great if you like fat,rich tone as well.
Who is Davis Barrett?
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Baker
230 posts
Jul 05, 2012
5:19 AM
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You could also try Joe Filisko's technique – http://www.bluesharmonica.com/joe_filisko_2
Click on "18 Harmonica Insights, #1 - Holding the Harmonica"
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coolsuperman
2 posts
Jul 05, 2012
7:17 AM
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hey,thank you to everyone,Baker when i click on
18 Harmonica Insights, #1 - Holding the Harmonica it doesn't give me access to the lesson
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lynn
39 posts
Jul 05, 2012
10:10 AM
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Adam Gussow (the owner of this site) has a good video on holding the harp. It's part of the beginner lessons package.
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coolsuperman
3 posts
Jul 05, 2012
10:46 AM
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lynn thank you very much but i have watched these videos before and i still can't hold the harmonica correctly because as i said above my upper lip covers ALL the upper coverplate so there is no place where i can put my first finger
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Baker
231 posts
Jul 06, 2012
5:28 AM
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Not sure what's going on there, it works fine for me. You need to click the light blue link not the dark blue text (which says the same thing). It should open a window with a video in it.
It might be a problem if you have an old browser.
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