Re: [Harp-L] nose plug

[Toni Macaroni <macaroni9999@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks Winslow

I will work on developing that three part feedback.

I noticed something very interesting this evening when working
with the nose clip. When I close off my nasopharnyx with my
soft palate and play the lowest notes rapidly the reed response
is very different as compared to using the nose clip. The nose
clip decreases reed response! My guess is that even though
the clip prevents air from flowing out through the nose (as does
closing off nasopharynx with the soft palate) air can still move
in and out of the nasopharynx by increasing or decreasing the
air density in the nasopharynx and this leads to a smooth
air pressure envelop at the reed rather than a nice square
envelop. Regardless of the physics behind this phenomenon
the effect is note worthy.

So I will continue to train with the nose clip to force myself
to be more aware of air escape but the nose clip does not
fix all.


On Thu, Dec 29, 2011 at 4:00 PM, Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> Using nose plugs may help you experience the benefits of not directing air
> through your nose when playing. Those benefits include:
>
> -- more efficient use of breath (it all goes through the harmonica) and
> the ability to sustain notes longer as a result
> -- stronger volume (again, all the air going through the harmonica)
> -- more control over such reed influencing actions as articulation,
> vibrato and note  which depend on air passing through the oral cavity.
>
> However, the potential problem in using such an external device is in
> coming to rely on it instead of on your own internal capabilities.
>
> I might suggest that when you play while using the nose plugs, you take
> note of anything that is different from when you don't use them, such as:
>
> -- louder sound
> -- ability to hold notes longer
> -- greater effectiveness of articulations (starting a note with a "Ta" or
> a "ka" for instance or sharp cutoffs at the ends of notes)ver
> -- greater control over vibrato and modulating the pitch of a note.
>
> You can get all those same benefits by using your soft palate to close off
> your nasal passages, and you already know you're capable of using that
> method.
>
> So the next step is to focus on getting all those same benefits without
> the nose plugs.
>
> It's a sort of three-part feedback loop of desired result, awareness, and
> action.
>
> Winslow
>
> Winslow Yerxa
> Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
> Harmonica instructor, The Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance
> Resident expert, bluesharmonica.com
> Columnist, harmonicasessions.com
>
>
> ________________________________
>  From: Toni Macaroni <macaroni9999@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: Bob Cohen <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Cc: harp-L list <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Thursday, December 29, 2011 3:36 PM
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] nose plug
>
> Hi Bob
>
> Thanks for the reply.
>
> I have not done a recording yet and maybe I should.
>
> I don't have a problem with closing off my nasopharynx. I think that I have
> just developed some habits (possibly bad) of frequently allowing air to
> escape
> or enter through my nose to facilitate breathing (bad habit, that breathing
> while
> playing. So the nose-plug is a device that I am using to break that habit
> in hopes
> of achieving better tone.
>
>
>
>
> On Thu, Dec 29, 2011 at 3:19 PM, Bob Cohen <bob@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> >
> > On Dec 29, 2011, at 4:49 PM, Toni Macaroni wrote:
> >
> > > I notice that my tone changes for the better when I pinch my nose
> closed
> > > and play.
> >
> > Curious? Did you verify this with a/b recordings? Also, can you close
> your
> > nose when you put your head under water?  If so, it's the same muscles.
> >
> > -Bob
> >
> >
> >
> >
>