Re: [Harp-L] Overblowing with a drinking straw



Well, as Ben realises, this challenges some wisdom about how overblows happen. What we know:
(1) There is a lot of advice out there about the requirements for precise mouth shape etc to make overblows happen.
(2) It is emphasised in that advice that it is not a matter of blowing hard.
(3) A tube such as a straw increases the speed of air flow and focusses the flow.


So, are overblows about blowing with just the right speed and focus? Obviously mouth shape will matter for this, but there might be more than one way to hit the critical speed. Also, as per the instructions for overblows, that speed will vary for different pitched reeds.

On 2 Feb 2009, at 09:42, Arnold Wiliem wrote:

Hi Ben,

This is fantastic.. I've never seen that a straw could actually switch
the overblows on. I wonder whether we could practice overblows
technique by using this method.  Is there any back-pressure you have
to do when blowing into the straw or just blow with regular breath?

Arnold

On Mon, Feb 2, 2009 at 6:39 AM, Ben Hewlett <ben@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi all,

I recently noticed I can do reasonable overblows by putting a drinking straw
to my harmonica and blowing normally.


There is a demonstration video here http://uk.youtube.com/user/PaulLennonUK

This may be old news and then again it might be amazing to some players -
take a look!


I've also just posted a video on 'hands-free' playing - Joe Filisko taught
me how to do it, and some of you might enjoy it - I apologise for the poor
taste shown at the end of the video!



All the best


Ben

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