Re: [Harp-L] Air Harmonica?

["Tim Moyer" <wmharps@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

jazmaan wrote:
> If I hold my hands in saxophone position and whistle, I can 
> play "air saxophone" correctly fingering scales and arpeggiating 
> chords.   I just realized I don't have any equivalent mental
> simulation for harmonica.   Can any of you do it?  Is it easier 
> to play "air chromatic" than "air diatonic"?

I remember a story a couple of years ago regarding Chris Michalek 
flying to the SPAH convention, sitting on the plane holding the 
harmonica up to his mouth but blowing over the top of the holes, so 
that it made no sound.  After that I started using a similar 
technique in situations where I didn't want to be heard playing, 
except that I draw and blow VERY lightly through the harp, not hard 
enough to make a sound.  I found that it wasn't too hard 
to "audialize" (the audio equivalent of "visualize") what notes 
would be coming from the harp.  It's a little tougher integrating 
the overblows, but it's great for a little practice time in a 
situation where it might otherwise not be possible.

-tim