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

[Richard Hammersley <rhhammersley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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
> > > > >
> > > > > > ..........................................
> > > > > > Ben Hewlett CTABRSM
> > > > > > +44 (0)117 908 3838
> > > > > > +44 (0)7973 284 366
> > > > > > ben@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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Richard Hammersley
Grantshouse, Scottish Borders
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