Re: [Harp-L] Re: Creating solid notes through bending techniques

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

The motions you describe could be sympathetic. When you narrow the airflow, the speeding up of air in the narrow passage creates suction in the bordering areas, and this might possibly explain the sensation of muscle constriction in the throat. 

I just went outside and tried bending Draw 1 and 2 on a low D harp (XB-40). I found that my Adam's apple and the entire surrounding area did not move up or down, even when I bent Hole 1 down two semitones (remember, XB-40). However, they did move INward, as if pulled by suction.

It would be helpful to have input from someone who is knowledgeable in vocal tract and respiratory anatomy. Can anyone trained in these areas inform us as to whether any airflow constriction points are available to players other than:

- tongue against uvula (soft palate)

- closing of the glottal folds?

If these are the only two, my money's on the uvula as the sole bend activator.

Winslow

Winslow Yerxa
Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5


--- On Mon, 10/6/08, David Payne <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> From: David Payne <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Re: Creating solid notes through bending techniques
> To: "Harp L Harp L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: Monday, October 6, 2008, 11:39 AM
> I just went through a test bend embouchure, I can put my
> hand on my throat and feel my throat muscles contracting.
> My Adam's apple drops about an inch, too. So what
> you're saying is those muscles are pulling down the back
> of my tongue?
> 
> Dave
> ______________________
> Dave Payne Sr. 
> Elk River Harmonicas
> www.elkriverharmonicas.com
> 
> 
> 
> ----- Original Message ----
> From: Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: IcemanLE@xxxxxxx; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Monday, October 6, 2008 2:17:44 PM
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Re: Creating solid notes through
> bending techniques
> 
> I have to agree with the Iceman that the throat does not
> really take part in bending notes.
> 
> I did very careful self-observation when writing the
> bending chapters for Harmonica For Dummies. I found that
> what seemed like the throat was in fact the very back of the
> soft palate (the waggy bit at the back of the roof of the
> mouth) interacting with the deeper recesses of the tongue.
> 
> The only other place nearby that you can use to constrict
> the airflow is your glottis - the little gateway of the
> vocal folds that can vibrate to make voice sounds or close
> off to cough. I seriously doubt that anyone uses the vocal
> folds to bend notes. (I could be wrong, and if I were, it
> would be very intersting, but I don't think I am.)
> 
> The soft papate and tongue can close off very near to the
> glottis, just above it (or so it feels). I can see how easly
> it would be to assume that this was the throat doing the
> work. But rty bending a note "in the throat" and
> then coughing lightly. The cough will be a little deeper
> down the windpipe than the bending spot.
> 
> Winslow
> 
> Winslow Yerxa
> Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
> 
> 
> --- On Mon, 10/6/08, IcemanLE@xxxxxxx
> <IcemanLE@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> > From: IcemanLE@xxxxxxx <IcemanLE@xxxxxxx>
> > Subject: [Harp-L] Re: Creating solid notes through
> bending techniques
> > To: hvyj@xxxxxxx
> > Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> > Date: Monday, October 6, 2008, 6:52 AM
> > It's possible that you misinterpreted the movement
> of
> > the tongue as some  
> > kind of throat control. Remember, the tongue is a very
> long
> > and extends  down the 
> > throat.
> >  
> > The tongue is the miracle muscle - it is capable of so
> many
> > twists and  turns 
> > in so many directions at once. The front of the tongue
> can
> > be down and  
> > relaxed while the back can be in motion. One can hold
> a
> > solid bend in place by  
> > arching the "sweet spot" up at the back
> section
> > while using the tip to  
> > articulate a sharp "T" attack to the note
> created
> > through this bend  technique.
> >  
> >  
> > In a message dated 10/4/2008 9:53:32 P.M. Eastern
> Daylight
> > Time,  
> > hvyj@xxxxxxx writes:
> > 
> > , I  suspect that what i think i am doing with my
> > "throat' my  
> > actually be  a movement at the root of my tongue that
> is so
> > deep/far  
> > back  in my mouth that it feels like i am doing it
> with my
> > throat.  
> > So,  maybe I'm actually bending with a slight
> arching
> > movement at the  
> > very root of my tongue that feels to me like it is
> > happening in my  
> > throat.
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > 
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