ness
45 posts
Aug 06, 2009
1:18 PM
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I'm just a few months into this, and have a recurring problem that I hope someone can help me with.
As I'm sliding up and down the harp my lip will catch and mess up the note. I've been licking lips, licking harmonica, tried drinking lotsa water, Chap Stick, Aveno -- just about everything I can think of.
I'm only doing lip pursing at this point -- haven't ventured into tongue blocking.
Any ideas?
John
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jaymcc28
112 posts
Aug 06, 2009
1:30 PM
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John, I lip purse as well and sometimes I have the same issue. I find that I need to adjust my embrochure. It usually happens when I don't have the harp deep enough in my mouth and/or I don't have my 'pucker puckered' enough (terrible visualization for you all...sorry!). If I pucker 'more' and have the harp actually not touching the outside of my lips but rather the inner tissue I find that I get better tone and I don't have as much problem with lubrication.
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tookatooka
353 posts
Aug 06, 2009
2:12 PM
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I keep a little bit of Chamois Leather handy and clean the coverplates quite regularly. There's no lint to get stuck in the coverplates.
You don't mention the harp you're playing but I play plastic combs with stainless steel coverplates and get the problem from time to time especially with Irish music which necessitates a lot of fast movements up and down the scale. I find that once my lips have shed any loose "lip material" the next layer down is a bit stronger, if that makes sense.
Don't seem to get the problem with Suzuki Promaster which has chromium plated brass coverplates which are very smooth and slippery.
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
Last Edited by on Aug 06, 2009 2:13 PM
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tookatooka
354 posts
Aug 06, 2009
2:20 PM
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Just another suggestion. I've found that my toothpaste which had a mild whitening agent caused mouth problems and effectively promoted the shedding of a thin layer of dermis. On changing to a regular toothpaste the problem improved.
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When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
Last Edited by on Aug 06, 2009 2:20 PM
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nacoran
144 posts
Aug 06, 2009
3:47 PM
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It can depend on the harp too. I have that problem on my Golden Melody. The reed plate sticks out a bit in the front and it's always tearing up my lips. Wooden harp combs tend to be rougher too. They seem to absorb the moisture.
I like the Special 20's and believe it or not, the cheap Piedmont Blues harps with plastic covers for easiest playing, although the Piedmonts don't bend particularly well. Sometimes I'll switch to them if my lips are getting sore.
Another thing I've noticed as I've played more I move my mouth less to get to each note. I change the angle I'm holding the harp to my lips at to give me access to few different holes without any real sliding. (Moving one end or the other closer to my cheek.) Basically instead of sliding your lips you are just smooshing them one direction or another. You'll still have to slide for larger note jumps but your lips should be in better shape over all.
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ness
46 posts
Aug 07, 2009
6:27 AM
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Thanks for all the tips. It gives me some things to try. One of the things that's troubling is that it's not consistent. I do try to do it with a clean mouth and don't drink anything sweet when I'm doing it.
I suspect it is largely due to my embouchure. If I really bury it in my mouth, the moist inner lip keeps things moving along nicely, but I can't hit single notes as well. And, if I tighten up the lips while trying to maintain the depth my cheeks cramp up.
For those asking what harps I'm playing: Promasters, a Bluesmaster and a Firebreath.
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snakes
326 posts
Aug 07, 2009
12:49 PM
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Well ness you got the smoothest finished harps I've played on the planet. So it ain't the harps. Don't be afraid to drink some water while you play and keep the harp as far in your mouth as possible.
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nacoran
149 posts
Aug 07, 2009
1:18 PM
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I know when you are singing you aren't supposed to have dairy just before. It gets you all phlegmy. It sounds gross, but maybe you should try drinking milk.
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