Re: [Harp-L] Holding the XB-40

[David Payne <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

The XB-40 is actually pretty and it's not that bad to hold, just different. You're probably going to need to move where you hold the harp in your hands down just a tad, maybe a centimeter or two. when you get up to a harp that size, anything that's incorrect in your hand embochure is gonna show. Start off, without a harp, by putting your hands together as if in prayer. Curl your left hand, so that the left pinky lays in the first (closest to the hand) finger joints, but do not rotate the base of the hand as you do so and keep your thumbs together. That should be the hand position for a regular harp. For the XB 40, you will open your left hand some by putting your left pinky on your right ring finger or pinky finger.
Sounds like a sick game of minature Twister, but it's good form.

Dave
______________________
Dave Payne Sr. 
Elk River Harmonicas
www.elkriverharmonicas.com 



----- Original Message ----
From: Anders Nygaard <anynyg@xxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Monday, August 4, 2008 5:47:08 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] Holding the XB-40

Hi all, I find it very difficult to hold the XB-40 correctly, to create the
airtight cup behind it. Works great for my smaller 10-holes, but on the
XB-40 the sound is not good and the hand effects are weak. I believe my
hands are normal size. Can anyone here help. I have only been playing for a
six months, using the instructions on harmonicalessons.com, so it may be a
simple solution that I overlooked. I normally play the Hohner Golden Melody,
but find it easier to practise lip blocking on the XB-40.

P.S. I bought the XB-40 before I really knew anything about harps, but it is
great for training and confidence. When I am getting tired of failing bends
on the Hohner, I switch to the XB and everything works. Nice.

Smile

/Andy
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