Re: [Harp-L] Re: Mic Holding

[Steve Baker <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Great wahs, though this is a different enclosure to the one I use and  
here the effects appear to come more from the left hand than the  
right. When you're tongue blocking the harp certainly looks as if  
it's against your cheek. I hear an overall sound difference between  
TB & pucker. Can you enclose so completely that the sound is  
inaudible outside the cup that way?

SB

On 20.05.2009, at 01:31, Ben Bouman wrote:

> full enclosure like this ??
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FzS-UcQScg&feature=related
>
> This is 50 % puckered and 50 % tongue-blocked
>
>
> Ben Bouman
> www.beta-harps.com
> www.harmonicainstituut.nl
> www.marble-amps.com
> www.harmonicaheaven.nl
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Baker" <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <MundHarp@xxxxxxx>
> Cc: "Harp-L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 1:12 AM
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Re: Mic Holding
>
>
> > Hi John,
> > by a "full enclosure" I mean being able to enclose the harp so   
> > completely that almost no sound whatsoever can escape. You play  
> > and  someone standing next to you can't hear it. When you then  
> > open your  "cup" the wahs and tone are killer. Without hearing you  
> > play, I can't  judge what you personally mean by a "good seal",  
> > but to the best of  my belief it's not possible to create the  
> > effect described above with  a pucker. I certainly can't, though I  
> > pucker at least 50% of the time  myself, but there are some things  
> > I simply can't do with that  embouchure (and the other way around  
> > too),
> > all the best
> > Steve
> > On 19.05.2009, at 22:14, MundHarp@xxxxxxx wrote:
> > > In a message dated 19/05/2009 01:08:26 GMT Daylight Time,   
> > > steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
> > > <<the choice of embouchure is absolutely decisive in
> > > getting a full enclosure against your cheek. This can only really
> > > work when playing with a tongue block, because if you hold and block
> > > left, the harp is automatically angled to the right and can  
> > > therefore
> > > be laid against your right cheek with ease without breaking the seal
> > > with the lips. If you pucker you can't do it,>>
> > >
> > > Dear Steve,
> > > I mostly agree with ALL you say about the harmonica, but on this,  
> > > I  disagree.
> > > For many years, I only used a "pucker" embouchure when playing   
> > > blues. Now I use both "pucker" and "tongue block".
> > > Perhaps my mouth shape is "weird".... But I've never had a  
> > > problem  getting a good seal with either embouchure, and yes, I  
> > > do use my  right cheek as part of the "seal".
> > > Interesting point though.
> > > I guess most every harp player has different mouth face and hand   
> > > characteristics.
> > > Best wishes
> > > John "Whiteboy" Walden
> > > London
> > > England
> > Steve Baker
> > steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
> > www.stevebaker.de
> > www.bluesculture.com
> > www.youtube.com/stevebakerbluesharp
> > www.myspace.com/stevebakerbluesharp
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Steve Baker
www.stevebaker.de
www.bluesculture.com