Re: [Harp-L] so new im an infant- single note

[IcemanLE@xxxxxxx]

I'll try to describe via typing how I counsel my students regarding  single 
notes - 
 
When you look at the harmonica, that single note chamber looks mighty small  
- why, one would have to pucker ones' lips to compress them down to those  
dimensions.
 
However, if you examine the front of the comb, you will see small holes,  
perhaps --- millimeters in width (I've never actually measured them),  surrounded 
on either side by a dividing post, also measurable in width. Now, if  your 
lips are compressed to the width dimension of the hole and you exhale, you  get 
a note. If you lips are not so compressed, more relaxed, say, and create the  
width dimension of the hole PLUS the width of both dividing posts on either 
side  of the hole and you exhale, you will get that same result - a note.
 
The same can be extrapolated to the height of the hole - your lips can be  
compressed to the exact height, or they can be relaxed to also take some of in  
the upper and lower cover plates, with the same result.
 
Put both relaxed/extended width AND height into your equation, and it is  
easy to see that you don't have to scrunch your lips into a pucker, but can  
relax them and create a loose "OH" type of embouchure, larger than one might  
think, and when you breath into the harmonica, the air will move only through  
that one hole creating a single note.
 
Others have suggested to move the harmonica deeper into the mouth and  slowly 
move it forward until a single note is created - this is good advice. If  you 
end with two holes sounding, first try moving the harmonica left or right,  
"dialing in" a single note, like tuning in a radio station in the old analog  
dial days. If you still get two notes, than move the harmonica a tiny bit  
further forward out of your mouth and repeat.
 
Also, tilting the harmonica up almost 45 degrees and allowing your upper  lip 
to hang over that upper cover plate works well in conjunction with the  above 
suggestions. One mistake I believe students make is to look at the  harmonica 
straight on and decide to approach it straight on - straight on into  their 
mouth - or even worse, to stop the harmonica 1/2 inch in front of their  mouth 
and then reach forward for it with their lips.
 
The Iceman
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