[Harp-L] silent practice

["Joe Ferguson" <joeferguson@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

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

For many years I automatically blow lightly in and out, hearing the harp 
notes in my head whenever I'm listening to music or have a tune in my head. 
It does serve as practice for me, and I do it without a harp.
Joe