[Harp-L] proper mic technique Newbie needs help

["John F. Potts" <hvyj@xxxxxxx>]

Greg,

If i understand your description of the technique you use, what you  
are doing deepens your embouchure, makes a larger oral resonance  
chamber,  and tightens the seal of the mic cup, all of which will  
strengthen and deepen tone. I've got a pretty deep embouchure and a  
decent seal.  I've been sitting here covering and uncovering the top  
holes of the harmonica with my thumb.  The only time it affects my  
tone is when the thumb movement is pronounced enough to open the seal  
a little.  But if I'm careful to keep the seal tight, covering or  
uncovering the top holes with my thumb has no effect on my tone or  
volume.

But the other aspects of what you describe will definitely affect  
tone, so if the thumb cover part of it helps you do the rest, then it  
affects tone, too.  But not in and of itself as far as I can tell.  
So, I sort of agree with Ryan.

For newbies, there are variations on how tight one can/should cup the  
mic and whether to do a complete seal or leave a little vent space  
while otherwise keeping a tight cup, or whether to cup very tight or  
not.  All of this affects tone. Depending on what type of sound the  
player is trying to get, these techniques may change depending on the  
characteristics of the particular mic you are using.  In other words  
you may need to use a different grip variation on different mics to  
get the same basic tonal characteristic, depending on the performance  
characteristics of each mic.  It all depends on what you want to  
sound like and the response characteristics of the mic you are  
using.  What the mic is plugged into also my require that you vary  
your grip to get the sound you are after. This is what mic handling  
technique is about.

Btw, embouchure has a lot to do with this too.  Here's an experiment  
lip pursers can try:  Using deep embouchure and air flow from your  
diaphragm, draw or blow a chord keeping a tight cup/seal on the mic.   
Now, while doing that and keeping everything else the same, smoothly  
push the holes of the harp deeper into your mouth past your teeth.   
If you are doing it right, the effect on depth and fullness of tone  
is pretty interesting, especially when amplified.

JP