[Harp-L] Better draw blocking nose - the balloon method

[David Fertig <drfertig@xxxxxxxxx>]

Once I got over the image of a harp player with a laundry pin on her nose, I tried your method, Winslow, a good test.  I recall some saying  they had difficulty closing off nasal air passages, maybe an anatomical idiosyncrasy which your (Winslow's) test would reveal, otherwise training oneself to block the nasal air passage is straightforward.

My experience is that, 'though my nasal airway is usually closed, I often breathe through my nose to grab or dump air while I'm playing.  Not circular breathing, just lots of augmentive air management.  I do it more or less unconsciously, much like I play.  Apparently!

-Dave "keep yer nose clean" Fertig



Forwarded Message: Re: [Harp-L] Better draw blocking nose - the balloon method Re: [Harp-L] Better draw blocking nose - the balloon method
        	Thursday, November 5, 2009 8:16 AM
        	
            
            
            From: 
            "Winslow Yerxa" <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>
            	
            	
            	
        	To: 
        	Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
                Try blowing up a balloon. You can't do this with your nose open.

Now
try doing the same thing with your mouth pressed firly to the back of
your hand. You try to exhale, but your nose is closed and the air
pressure makes your lips balloon out.

Now try inhaling with your
mouth on the back of your hand. If you do this immediately after the
exhaling attempt, you nose should stay closed, your lips should start
being pulled into your mouth, along with the surface of your hand.

This
is how you should be playing the harmonica pretty much all the time.
Your nose should be closed off, and your breathing should be gentle and
deep.

Winslow

Winslow Yerxa

Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5