Re: [Harp-L] equipment

[Robert Hale <robert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

>
> Richard Hunter wrote: Learn to play the harmonica with a big sound (without
> gear)
>

Richard's assessment of gear and technique is accurate. Something I find
common at local jams is the thin tone produced by a small mouth cavity of
some players. The difference in tone is significant, and easy to acquire.

Here is my method with students, and recommendation for jammers:

1. Ah - Oh.
Without the harp, say: Ah - Oh.
"Ah" opens the mouth and jaw, "Oh" brings lips close enough to play.
(Imagine keeping space in the mouth for a marshmallow or jaw-breaker.)

2. EE - yo
Gently blow a full chord on holes 1 through 4.  "EE" is the shape of the
mouth with a thin space between top of tongue and roof of mouth. (Result is
the thin, tinny, trebly sound) Not good. "YO" is the shape when jaw and
tongue are low and open. Very good.

3. Yoy - yoy
Without the harp, say very slowly: "yoy-yoy." (I mean VERY slowly.) Now play
full chords on holes 1 through 4, blow and draw. You are cycling through the
"ee-yo" shape in #2 above. You will hear the big round tone of "oh" compared
to the thin sound of "ee." (Do it fast enough and you become a Leslie
speaker cabinet!)

Make the relaxed open mouth shape your default, and enjoy big round tone at
your next jam.

Stay well
Play well

Robert Hale is the DUKE of WAIL
Distance Learning via Webcam
http://www.youtube.com/
<http://www.youtube.com/dukeofwail>dukeofwail<http://www.youtube.com/dukeofwail>
Gilbert AZ (Phoenix)