[Harp-L] scary fast playing

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

It's definitely easier to play very fast in the manner you describe,  
but tone suffers considerably. Equivalent speed (with much better  
tone) can be achieved with a deep embouchure using the diaphragm to  
articulate separation between the notes, but that is a considerably  
more difficult technique to learn, although not all that difficult to  
do once the player becomes comfortable with doing it.

But, yeah, if one is not concerned about good tone production, it's  
much easier to play really fast using the technique you describe.  In  
fact, there are some well known YouTube virtuosos who play with very  
sophisticated note selection, blinding speed, and impressively  
accurate precision, but who i suspect play with the technique you  
describe, since their tone is so poor (although it's easier for them  
to play really fast that way).

 As i have said before, technical proficiency and good tone  
production may be distinct skills.

JP