Fwd: [Harp-L] Re: Standard embouchures

[Harp Explorer <harpexplorer1@xxxxxxxxx>]

Does the throat not contain any of the air column used for bends?

I just ask because of how singers learn to use the entire column of air,
all the way down to the diaphragm. It would be interesting to be able to
read up on any writing on this, because I just assumed that the air column
from vibrating element to diaphragm was the same idea, whether talking
about the harmonica reed or the human larynx.

I'm curious about the support for that assertion, and I'm always happy to
learn why one system is different from another. Thanks!


On Fri, Aug 29, 2014 at 12:29 PM, Dave Murray <dmurray110@xxxxxxx> wrote:

> I realize that I wandered into a conversation with more experienced
> players than myself, but until I figured out include the throat, I could
> not reach the bottom low hole bends on low harps.
>
> But then putting how you bend notes into words is a near impossibility.
> The many tongue explanation that I heard, read and tried only worked for me
> on high pitched harps.
>
> It took me so long to get the low draw bends that I came close to giving
> up on the harp.
>
> It could be that what I am consciously doing with throat muscles is
> causing the tongue and shape of the oral cavity to make the bends
> unconsciously, I don't know. Something to think about while trying to
> improve my time perhaps.
>
> Dave
>
> On August 29, 2014 12:00:11 PM MST, "Harmonicology [Neil Ashby]" <
> harmonicology@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >(Dave Murray)->"Isn't the throat a part of the oral cavity?"
> >
> >The throat is not part of the oral cavity.
> >
> >>From " http://www.merriam-webster.com/medical/oral cavity ":
> >
> >"Definition of ORAL CAVITY : the cavity of the mouth; especially : the
> >part of the mouth behind the gums and teeth that is bounded above by
> >the hard and soft palates and below by the tongue and by the mucous
> >membrane connecting it with the inner part of the mandible".
> >
> >To bend the 1 or 2-draw on the low-G harmonica then you might be
> >dropping of your jaw or really flattening of your tongue in the oral
> >cavity (or both) but that resonant column of air stops at the back of
> >the mouth [oral cavity] which is located above the throat.
> >
> >/Neil
>