anbu94
1 post
Jan 31, 2011
9:37 PM
|
anyone have any tips for when your playing and your get dry and the harp wont slide? I find my self having to stop in the middle of a bar to lick my lips and cant play long riffs.
|
nacoran
3760 posts
Jan 31, 2011
10:16 PM
|
Keep hydrated. Also, if you aren't making huge jumps you can cheat a little. Push your harp against your bottom lip with just enough force so that the harp won't slide. At the same time, let a little air slide out between your top lip and the harmonica. If you do it right your bottom lip will wiggle back and forth instead of sliding along the harp and your top lip will glide along like an air hockey puck. Your lip should have a couple holes of wiggle in it. You'll still have to slide if you go farther than that. It's particularly useful for warbles.
I also find that it's sometimes easier to lick the harmonica than to lick your lips. It looks funny, but it works pretty well. Just lick from one end to the other.
You might also have dirty harps. If you look closely along the area where you're lips slide on the covers. Crud builds up there. Dead, dried out skin is actually pretty rough. Get something softer than metal but harder than the gunk like a toothpick and scrape it loose and wipe it off on your pants and see if that doesn't help. A polishing cloth (one without polishing agent added) can also get them looking good again and help with the gunk.
----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
|
pistolero
37 posts
Jan 31, 2011
10:21 PM
|
I haven't been playing harmonica long enough to know all that but I can tell you this from working outside in cold windy conditions. Better than any "chapstick" type balm or Carmex you can get is this:
http://www.blistex.com/products/lip-medex
As far as lube for lips on harps I'm sure someone will chime in with better info but for generally chapped/dry lips that stuff is AWESOME. I've used it when I felt like my lips were about to split open and bleed all over and the relief is immense and FAST. It's the best.
Edited to add:
"I'm sure someone will chime in with better info"
Like nacoran just did above while I was typing this.
----------
It's MUSIC, not just complicated noise.
Last Edited by on Jan 31, 2011 10:26 PM
|
pistolero
38 posts
Jan 31, 2011
10:32 PM
|
Ah, after a further look at the Blistex site, this seems to be the recommendation for daily care,
http://www.blistex.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=53&Itemid=81
My first advice more for lips that are already painful. I've used both and they are both good, but I always keep a couple of those blue cans around the house.
----------
It's MUSIC, not just complicated noise.
Last Edited by on Jan 31, 2011 10:33 PM
|
5F6H
503 posts
Feb 01, 2011
2:06 AM
|
You are using too much pressure between your lips & the harp, you shouldn't be relying on moisture to allow you to get around the harp. It's bad for your lips & your harp. You should be able to play completely dry.
|
ianharpo
54 posts
Feb 01, 2011
2:16 AM
|
What 5F6H said
Plus as a daily / frequent moisturiser and fixer of chapped lips I swear by CHAPSTICK but it has to be medicated or it aint no good
|
snakes
623 posts
Feb 01, 2011
7:21 AM
|
I'd advise everyone to be careful with any lip balm products. I found myself with a problem with lesions on my lips and finally went to a dermatologist only to find out that there was something in Burt's Bees, Carmex, Blistex, etc. that I was allergic to and was actually making my situation worse. It may have been called balsum of peru... The point being is that if what you are using causes your lips to get worse be aware that it may be the balm itself.
----------
snakes in Seattle
|
Shredder
229 posts
Feb 01, 2011
10:12 AM
|
Any one ever tried a dob of Olive oil on the harp cover? Chap stick makes the harp drag in my opinion.
|
chromaticblues
552 posts
Feb 01, 2011
10:17 AM
|
I have tried Olive oil on the slide of a chrom and didn't like it. It seemed to get gummy quicker than other lubs. Mineral oil works very well. Use food grade and go sparingly.
|
Buzadero
720 posts
Feb 01, 2011
10:24 AM
|
Astroglide.
Yea, I know. That suggestion is a low, hanging curveball for the smartass contingent.
But, I come by it honestly. The late (great) Bill Romel told me about that and it works very well.
That, and the admonition to stay properly hydrated.
----------
~Buzadero
Underwater Janitor, Patriot
|
anbu94
2 posts
Feb 01, 2011
11:01 AM
|
wow, thanks for all the replies ^_^
i gotta tell ya, my favorite balm is burts bee's. that stuff is a little pricey but it works miracles.
|
Kyzer Sosa
947 posts
Feb 01, 2011
3:30 PM
|
just stop and lick em... no harm in a moment's time of silence.
----------
Kyzer's Travels
Kyzer's Artwork
"Music in the soul can be heard by the universe." - Lao Tzu
|
groyster1
809 posts
Feb 01, 2011
3:33 PM
|
I agree with 5F6H too much lip pressure
|
Matzen
6 posts
Feb 01, 2011
7:35 PM
|
Just lick the comb every so often and use less pressure. Maybe try the lip balm stuff when your not playing!
|
BronzeWailer
82 posts
Feb 01, 2011
10:32 PM
|
Agree with Kyzer. Make one lick while thinking about another.
Also, I'm told I might have had the harp too far forward in my mouth when it started sticking. Deeper inside the mouth may be wetter?
This problem seems especially prevalent on MBs with me. SP20s don't tend to stick. Or am I just imagining?
|
jackson
34 posts
Feb 02, 2011
4:59 AM
|
http://www.chopsaver.com/
I use this stuff. Lasts pretty well.
I might try that blistex stuff too. regular chapstick or lip balm or whatever just didn't work for me.
I may be applying too much pressure on the harp as was suggested above but I suspect there may be another reason for my cottonmouth when I play if ya get my meaning if ya catch my drift...
I just drink a LOT when I'm playing and have had to have my bourbon served in a pint glass (just one shot) so that I have enough water and not too much bourbon.
|
