[Harp-L] OB Tone and Intonation

["Dick Anderson" <dandyd55@xxxxxxxxx>]

Mike Will asked me to post my notes from SPAH and the OB tone and
intonation question with George Brooks,
Chris Michalek, and Michael Peloquin,  (I added one from  Alan Holmes also)
In no particular order:

To improve tone of the OB

Play with an open throat such as just before yawning. (I think
George gave Howard credit on this one)
Stand and use diaphram support for airstream (George)
Build diaphram support by blowing into a straw in a glass of water and
trying to keep the bubbles as
one continuous stream.  (Chris)
Play with deep embrochure and lower jaw to increase size of interior of
mouth (recommendation from Alan Holmes)
Practice playing at your minimum sound volume. (George)

Choose the position/key to play carefully using the song's chord structure
and
don't expose the OB if you don't have to.  Don't play "How Insensitive" in
3rd position since 5th position
works better (George demonstrated) and it doesn't put the OB in such an
exposed part of the
song (Chris commenting on my unfortunate choice of 3rd position)

To improve intonation of the OB and all notes in general:

Get a keyboard (in tune) and play scales against the notes comparing your
intonation.(Michael Peloquin)
Play an OB tone from soft to loud and back to soft as you observe the note
on a tuner or compare against
the keyboard.(Mike P)
Play scales over two octaves in all keys listening for the correct
intonation. (George B)

that's what I heard.....

dick anderson