Re: [Harp-L] Changing the Way You Hold the Harp (long)

[fjm <mktspot@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Pic2318834@xxxxxxx wrote:
> What about if you are left handed?
>  

An interesting set of problems arise.  If you hold the Adam Gussow way 
most of them are mitigated.  If you hold in the conventional manner 
gripping with your left hand then your non dominant hand ends up 
involved in the more difficult task of the cup.  If you hold right which 
is the left handed way then the cup ends up biased towards the wrong end 
of the harmonica.  That problem is solved by flipping the harmonica so 
the low notes end up on the right instead of the left side of the 
player.  There was a person, Vinny I believe, he maintained it made 
absolutely no difference.  Hold left hold right it's all the same.  I 
think that idea is flawed because it assumes a symmetry of layout that 
does not exist with either human hands or the harmonica.  Personally I 
had started out playing with the low notes to the right.  I saw the 
numbers on the coverplate and was bothered that I had them upside down 
and progressing from right to left so I changed my way of holding the 
harmonica to the more conventional numbers up.  I do hold in my right 
hand.  I'm sorry I switched.  It's too late for me but if I had it to do 
over I'd go with hold right numbers down.  It does create a certain 
uniqueness in my playing.  How I get to the notes differs from the way a 
conventional right handed player accesses the same notes and trills and 
triplets are easier because of the mechanics of the human wrist.  fjm