Re: [Harp-L] scary fast playing

[Joe and Cass Leone <leone@xxxxxxxx>]

On Feb 7, 2009, at 12:33 PM, Daniel Velton wrote:

> I was experimenting with different ways for playing fast and  
> stumbled on this technique accidentally. It worked especially well  
> on the higher keys, and I'm wondering if anyone has tried this  
> technique and/or mastered it...I haven't had much in the way of  
> professional instruction but I was wondering if this is a known  
> technique. Here's what you do:
>
> Instead of moving air with your lungs and diaphragm, use only the  
> small amount of air in your cheeks.

Yes, this is also used for playing the jaw harp. It is practically  
circular breathing without the breathing. Horn players will use the  
residual air in their cheeks while drawing in more air through their  
nose...BUT you have to have a good nose. Also, this is a technique  
that is close to something called 'Eefin'.  except with eefin, you DO  
breathe.

> Force the air in and out with the cheek and mouth muscles.

Yes, you could also mouth the words 'dugga dugga dugga', 'Gwa gwa  
gwa'. Make up your OWN words.

> There won't be as much air as when you're playing normally, but it  
> is sufficient to vibrate the reeds. Doing runs up and down is  
> scarily fast using this "cheek" method (faster than my brain, at  
> least, can process and play accurately). It seems almost like this  
> technique allows you to change wind direction from draw to blow and  
> vice versa about 10 times faster than normally.
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