SmokeJS
29 posts
Jan 07, 2013
4:30 AM
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In his big book chapter 2 Jin Gindick says move the harp, not your head, when playing chords. David Barrett says when doing two hole shakes hold your hands still and move your head. Different approaches for different techniques would seem to make sense. I was wondering if there was a general rule that you follow for single note runs? Do you even consider any of this?
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jbone
1163 posts
Jan 07, 2013
4:25 AM
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I think I move the harp. It's whatever works for you. I used to get carried away on stage and actually threw my neck or back out a couple of times. Expensive gig!
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Willspear
250 posts
Jan 07, 2013
5:13 AM
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I kind of do the Brendan power thing where I move my jaw a lot side to side. I also tongue block which in and Of it's self gives you a lot of access with little movement.
I switch from pucker to tongue blocking pretty interchangeably.
Unplugged I move the harp a good deal more
Last Edited by on Jan 07, 2013 5:14 AM
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The Iceman
650 posts
Jan 07, 2013
7:01 AM
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ah, once again a search for the Holy Grail of the one correct answer when there really is none.
My personal approach is to minimize all unnecessary muscle usage/movement when playing harmonica.
If I move my hands a little while moving my head a little (two hole shakes, for instance), I find that I use very little energy in both my neck muscles and hand/arm muscles and achieve maximum effect.
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The Iceman
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Rick Davis
1123 posts
Jan 07, 2013
8:19 AM
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I agree with Iceman.
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The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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HarveyHarp
447 posts
Jan 07, 2013
8:34 AM
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I have made this statement before, and no one really believes me, but here it is. Back in 1988 and 1989, I had cataract surgery on both eyes. The doctor was a customer and a friend of mine, and very well respected in his field. Supposedly he was the best. Anyway, to make a long story short, he came to listen to my band, and observed my playing. After the gig, he came to me and said that if I continue to shake my heard like I was doing (trills or whatever you want to call it) that I had a chance of detaching a Retina. I have moved the harp rather than my head ever since, and will do it until the day I die.
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HarveyHarp
Last Edited by on Jan 07, 2013 8:35 AM
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SmokeJS
32 posts
Jan 07, 2013
9:46 AM
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Terific answers to a question that it seems has no correct answer. I originally asked the question because it seemed that both Gindick and Barrett appear to have avoided it. And likely with good reason. My guess is their two very specific technique recommendations were as far as they were willing to go so they assumed each player would find their own way.
I really like Iceman's concept of using whatever is the minimum amount of movement that's needed. I interpret that as being either technique or some combination that feels right. Kind of like guitar playing with a pick. Sometimes all down strokes. Sometimes up and down. Wven sometimes all up strokes. And then there's fingerstyle and my favourite hybrid picking.
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HawkeyeKane
1348 posts
Jan 07, 2013
9:43 AM
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I used to move the harp & mic with my hand because moving my head agitated my chronic neck pain. It kinda messed with my tone though since I had to use only one hand to do this and therefore lost my cupping technique for the move. I've since moved past this issue to the point where it doesn't bother my neck so much. And I've worked on my cupping technique to get nice fat tone as I shake my head back and forth.
I wish I could do what Willspear describes with my jaw. But I also have TMDS (temporomandibular displacement syndrome) which causes problems in trying it, not to mention I've never been able to achieve the necessary quickness of the side-to-side motion with my jaws. My buddy Brad Hessing is a master at it. Every time I see him at it, I sorta have to resist the urge to slap him silly. :-)
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Hawkeye Kane
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Joe_L
2312 posts
Jan 07, 2013
10:14 AM
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Learn to do both.
There are going to be some sounds that you'll only be able to get from moving your hands.
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garry
317 posts
Jan 07, 2013
4:30 PM
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funny thing, when i read this post, i realized i didn't know the answer. had to pick up a harp and play to find out that i seem to move my hands. i guess i just do what feels natural and don't think about it.
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roadharp
103 posts
Jan 07, 2013
4:59 PM
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Put no limits on your self if it works it works . Simple I know but true. Try it all keep what works throw out what dose not work .Bruce Lee.lol enjoy .
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harp-er
300 posts
Jan 07, 2013
5:46 PM
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Shaking my head makes it ache. I can feel my brain being bounced around inside that skull of mine. No thanks. I've learned/am learning to move the hands and/or harp instead.
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Afro Blue
105 posts
Jan 07, 2013
6:32 PM
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I definitely work along the lines of what Willspear mentioned earlier. I almost always hit the 6-hole blow tongue-blocked. The only except is if I am playing on the 5-hole or the 7-hole for any reason and I will resolve or move to the 6-hole lip-pursed. You don't have to play tongue-blocked one-hundred percent of the time, but jumping from the lower register to the middle or upper using tongue-blocking technique using insures that you won't miss and that you won't lack in tone. IMO
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FMWoodeye
528 posts
Jan 07, 2013
11:18 PM
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I guess I do both/either. Now, the trill or shake isn't always at the same speed. At lower speeds and if I want to keep a good cup, I'll move my head more. On the other hand, if I'm doing, say, a shake on four descending quarter notes at a speed of about 160 bpm or so, I lose the cup and move the harp with my right hand, but this is okay because this uncupped technique makes the notes clearer for this passage, and then I can...uh...recup (new word).
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