agingbuffoon
4 posts
Nov 06, 2014
9:30 PM
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Hey I have several probably stupid beginner things that I'm struggling with. Any help with them would be appreciated.
1. Chugging Choke-Out
I've been doing chugging exercises from Ben Hewlett's wonderful book/cd "Get Chugging". Sometimes though once I get going on one of the chugging patterns, often the reeds will start to make this sort of choking, strained noise and not blow or draw well for a while. Is this something wrong with my harmonica or (as I suspect) me?
2. Nostrils
I've read in multiple places that it is important to close off your nasal passages while playing the harmonica. I can't seem to figure out how to though. Any thoughts?
3. Relaxed/open throat.
This one I may or may not have. I've read to yawn, notice how that feels and hold how the feeling but I'm not sure if it feels 'relaxed' to me and I'm afraid of hurting my throat. (Am I over-thinking this?)
4. Relaxed mouth.
Last of all, I promise. I'm having trouble relaxing my lips/mouth when I do the pucker, especially on blow notes.
Thanks in advance.
-Buffoon
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Greg Heumann
2872 posts
Nov 06, 2014
9:56 PM
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1: You're probably just playing too hard. It is hard to relax and use less air but that's what you want to practice.
2: did you ever pretend that you had a cold as a kid, and talk like that? You talk allowing no air through your nose. THAT is the muscle you nee to get in touch with. I had the same problem and it took YEARS for me to get past it, but eventually I did.
3: Don't worry about yawning - but worry if you notice you're "clenching" anywhere. TRY to be as open as you can all the way to your lungs
4: Learning to play harp has a lot to do with learning to control muscles you never knew you had. It will come. Just kep working at it and ty to be conscious of when you're straining. Then try to do whatever it was you were just doing WITHOUT so much strain.
Have fun!
***************************************************
/Greg
BlowsMeAway Productions
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Shaganappi
126 posts
Nov 06, 2014
10:02 PM
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AB - You answered it mostly yourself. You are over thinking imo. Just play often and all these will be mostly solved. Like in 1., likely just a bit too much water in the reeds from doing it too long or at too much of a tilt down - which you would likely figure out eventually. Stuff like that. Just relax and don't get discouraged. It's supposed to be fun mostly - I think…
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Dragonbreath
28 posts
Nov 06, 2014
11:58 PM
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Remember to tilt your harp so the holes are against your lower lip. Simply covering the holes you don't want air coming through with the lip. This will make it a lot less strainful on your mouth and you quickly get used to it and it's much easier to play relaxed and expressive. Might be awkward first couple days but you quickly get used to it and you'll benefit tremendously in the long run.
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The Iceman
2242 posts
Nov 07, 2014
5:44 AM
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Inhale, exhale into the harmonica rather than blowing and sucking.
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The Iceman
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MN
353 posts
Nov 07, 2014
7:36 AM
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Blow cold air onto your arm. Now, blow warm air onto your arm. Feel the difference in mouth/throat position? Play harp like you're blowing warm air.
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nacoran
8108 posts
Nov 07, 2014
10:44 AM
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If you are saying that the reeds aren't responding the next time you go to blow on them then it could be two things- you are changing your embouchure and then having a hard time playing the next time you go to blow, or, it might actually be you've jammed the harp in some way.
Play with your embouchure a bit, and if that doesn't work, you may have jammed something. It happens. It could be lint, spit (particularly common when chugging (and tilting the harp up while playing can help with that, as well as banging it on your leg to clear it) or a reed gap alignment issue.
What model harp are you using? If it uses screws it's easy to check the insides. If it's a standard Marine Band or other harp held together by nails, refer to this video.
Or, it could just be your embouchure.
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Nate
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WinslowYerxa
713 posts
Nov 07, 2014
10:54 AM
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Don't overlook the possibility that the reeds are getting clogged with moisture. If they become unresponsive after playing for awhile, hold the harp with the holes face down, and tap the moisture out onto a cloth or tissue, then bang the covers against your palm to break up any surface tension in the remaining moisture and tap again.
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Winslow
Harmonica For Dummies, Second Edition with tons of new stuff
Deepen your playing at the Harmonica Collective
Last Edited by WinslowYerxa on Nov 07, 2014 11:01 AM
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nacoran
8109 posts
Nov 07, 2014
10:57 AM
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As for your throat, play from the diaphragm, and you want your through fairly open. Don't strain.
I'm not sure I agree with closing your nostrils as general advice- there will be times when you can use your nostrils to help control how much air you have- very important when you are playing an instrument that is both blow and draw, but other times you will want to close it off. I think Greg's advice on that is good. (Actually, all the advice has been good).
For your lips, I learned a couple exercises in progressive muscle relaxation that might help. First, with mouth closed gently, press your tongue against the roof of your mouth as hard as you can. Hold that for about 10 seconds, and then relax. Pay attention to that relaxed feeling. Next, press your lips together really hard for about 10 seconds, and then relax. Pay attention to that feeling. (Be careful- don't, during either exercise clench your teeth. That's bad for you teeth!) That relaxed feeling in your mouth is what you want. Do those exercises occasionally and really pay attention to the difference in the feeling. You are teaching yourself to be able to tense and loosen your muscles on command. After a bit you'll be able to just do it. Also, pay attention to your hands. Don't crush the harp!
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Nate
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First Post- May 8, 2009
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WinslowYerxa
714 posts
Nov 07, 2014
11:00 AM
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Can you blow up a balloon? If so, you're closing your nostrils when you do it. Try it without the balloon, just by closing your mouth and pretending you're blowing up a balloon. Your cheeks will puff out as air can't escape. Try inhaling and your cheeks will suck in. If you can make this work, you can apply it while playing the harmonica.
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Winslow
Harmonica For Dummies, Second Edition with tons of new stuff
Deepen your playing at the Harmonica Collective
Last Edited by WinslowYerxa on Nov 07, 2014 11:01 AM
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Shaganappi
127 posts
Nov 07, 2014
12:11 PM
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AB - Although playing more will automatically solve most problems, there are always little things that can keep one from moving ahead quickly. Probably the best book on the market to cover these detailed points about playing is the Dummies book by Winslow btw. He may be too modest to flog it so I am saying … Ignore the `Dummies` name - it is actually pretty comprehensive. Check it out.
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LadyArdRhi
4 posts
Nov 07, 2014
8:01 PM
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I have the Dummies book by Winslow. It's excellent! My only issue with it is that I have the Kindle version, and I wish I had the CD, or that the CD's content was available from Dummies.com or something.
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Philosofy
618 posts
Nov 07, 2014
8:54 PM
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#2: Breathe through your mouth like you're in a very smelly place.
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agingbuffoon
5 posts
Nov 07, 2014
8:57 PM
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Ok. Thanks for all the help.
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Thievin' Heathen
423 posts
Nov 08, 2014
8:58 AM
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IMO, a lot can be learned about breathing, embouchure, throat muscles, reed action and a host of other harmonica intricacies by mixing it up a little and adding Octave and Tremolo harps to your practice routine. There are a lot of $7-10 Asian tremolo harps to be had.
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WinslowYerxa
718 posts
Nov 08, 2014
7:32 PM
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@LaduArdRhi - You can get the audio files for the first edition by going to this web page:
http://wiley.mpstechnologies.com/wiley/BOBContent/searchLPBobContent.do
And entering the ISBN number for the book. That will take you to a page where you can download the audio files as a zipped folder.
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Winslow
Harmonica For Dummies, Second Edition with tons of new stuff
Deepen your playing at the Harmonica Collective
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agingbuffoon
6 posts
Nov 09, 2014
9:12 AM
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I've got another beginner problem. I've been playing consistently for about 2 months and this hasn't happened for a while but lately I find myself getting light headed when I play. Any thoughts?
Also I think I should provide some background on myself so you understand why I'm so hung up on getting these basic things down really really correctly and afraid of hurting my throat or something else.
I took up harmonica not by choice but necessity. I have carpal tunnel syndrome and really bad persistent tendinitis and some other issues with my hands that I developed from playing the guitar, practicing for hours and hours in an uncomfortable posture trying to shrug off the pain instead of listening to my body. It was a really stupid of me and it has had huge consequences. I don't want to make another similar mistake. To only be in your mid 20s and have so much muscle and nerve pain is pretty frustrating. I thought that I would not be able to play music anymore when it finally dawned on me to take up the harp.
Now you know why I'm insistent on doing harmonica the right way.
Again, thanks for all your help. I love that this forum is such a friendly place.
AB.
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mlefree
222 posts
Nov 09, 2014
10:17 AM
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1) As usual Perfessor Yerxa has is right on the choking issue. If the harp plays well at first but starts to choke after a little playing, moisture is the culprit. Use gravity by tilting your head back a bit. Avoid looking down while playing.
2) It is not desirable to keep your nostrils closed ~all~ the time while playing. Yes, for optimal tone this is true in general, but there are times when you want to exhale extra air while you are playing a blow note or to take on needed extra air while playing a draw note. You need to gain control over your soft palate (the back of the non-bony part of the roof of the mouth where you close and open the airways to the nostrils).
3) Gaining muscle memory control over your "yawn" muscles, like any other muscle group, requires practice. Rest assured, you cannot hurt yourself by exercising your yawn muscles. Over time you may lower your voice significantly, though, as you become more resonant. I sound like I've been drinking whiskey for 40 years, but I am a teetotaler.
4) I teach my students not to "pucker" like they would kiss their mother on the cheek. Instead I recommend adopting a "fish mouth" embouchure. You want to look like a carp or a sucker fish, not your grandma coming at you for a quick peck your cheek when you were a kid. Yes, like the many other muscle groups a harmonica player must learn to isolate and use effectively, those fish mouth muscles will ache at first. Remember, as far as those muscles are concerned, you are doing the equivalent of pumping iron.
Keep at it. You may be aging but you are not a buffoon! You will soon have the lip and throat muscles of Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Michelle
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email: mlefree@silverwingleather.com
Last Edited by mlefree on Nov 09, 2014 10:21 AM
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