Hondo
112 posts
Jan 03, 2011
4:25 PM
|
I've always have trouble playing the 8, 9 an 10 draw so while embossing and gapping a harp tonight, I finally got 10 to plink and play well. Dadgum the 8 and 9 draw are a pain. They don't play well when I draw softly or hard. Never have.
Last Edited by on Jan 03, 2011 5:37 PM
|
ncpacemaker
10 posts
Jan 03, 2011
4:58 PM
|
Don't feel bad, my harps are pretty much crap as well.
---------
Maybe I can't play that good but I'm a lot better than people who can't play at all.
Sincerely,
ncpacemaker
|
hvyj
982 posts
Jan 03, 2011
5:42 PM
|
Draw all air from the diaphragm with an open throat, an open and relaxed oral resonance chamber and a dropped, relaxed jaw. Deep embouchure also helps.
If you are creating air pressure from your lips or mouth you won't get a musical sound from these holes. Gapping may be necessary but if you are using proper technique they will sound fine without embossing--not saying that embossing is a bad idea, but lack of embossing is NOT the problem here. I'm no expert, but I do a lot of playing on the high end regularly these days. Once upon a time when i started playing I had the same problem you are complaining about and I blamed my harps. But I know now that the problem was actually my technique, not my instruments. But gapping can be important, too.
|
HarpNinja
920 posts
Jan 03, 2011
6:04 PM
|
Hondo,
Feel free to email me your phone number (my contact info is in my sig). I can try to talk you through some trouble shooting. I find 8, 9 , and 10 to be different than the other holes, but you should be able to get really good action and blow bends on every key.
I live up on those holes....and FWIW, I think embossing is overrated. It is important, but totally overrated.
----------
Mike
Quicksilver Harmonicas
|
Hondo
113 posts
Jan 03, 2011
6:15 PM
|
Thanks, I wasn't blaming my harps. I know that it is me having a hard time playing draw 7 up, and having a hard time gapping to help. When in reality it is my technique. Sure wish I could play them the same as the lower register.
Hvyj- I am going to write down everything you said and keep it.
Harpninja- I'll drop you a line in the morning.
THANKS Guys.
|
hvyj
984 posts
Jan 03, 2011
6:40 PM
|
@Hondo: I'm flattered that you find my suggestions helpful enough to want to write them down. But with all due respect, what might be better is to pick up a harp-any harp-and try to do what I'm suggesting. frankly, it ain't very hard. you just need to break out of what may be some bad habits. What's that they say in the Nike commercials? just do it. it takes less time than embossing and plinking.
|
MP
1219 posts
Jan 03, 2011
7:56 PM
|
-hondo,
you got the 10, right! that means that the 8 and 9 can be improved as well. believe me, i've worked on a lot of harps and those high boys are simply harder to adjust. but, it CAN be done.
i agree that technique is certainly a factor.
for years i just made do. i played them as is until i came across an 'aha!' moment while tinkering.
examine the 10 more closely. compare it to 8 and 9. use a magnifying glass if you have to. don't give up.---------
MP
hibachi cook for the yakuza
doctor of semiotics
superhero emeritus
|
