Re: [Harp-L] Which hand holds the Chrom?

[Slim Heilpern <slim@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi David -

Really interesting -- I've never given this much thought before, and I  
don't consider myself to be in Wim's league (I'd love to be able to  
play at his level when I grow up ;-)). However, even without giving it  
much thought, I've somehow ended up doing it the same way he does,  
leading with my left hand. I don't think I always did it that way, but  
some time over a half century of playing chromatic necessity seems to  
have led me down this path.

One possible reason is that the right hand is working the button in  
coordination with the horizontal movement and this action is less  
cumbersome if the same hand isn't also moving the harmonica --  
independence helps.

I'm not as strict about this as Wim, as I do move my head sometimes to  
help with certain types of jumps, and I do lead with my right hand in  
some situations.

As for feeling like a klutz, over time that seems to be less of an  
issue as your right hand learns to give up control and go with the flow.

- Slim.


On Mar 14, 2011, at 7:45 PM, dmf273@xxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Watching Wim's latest video on horizontal movement, I'm surprised to  
> see that he teaches that right handed people should hold the  
> chromatic in their left hand and control movement with the left  
> elbow moving up and down while the wrist stays locked. I wouldn't  
> presume to disagree with him. I'm just surprised to learn that is  
> the recommended way. Is that what most accomplished players do?  
> Being right handed, I feel like a klutz trying to control the harp  
> with my left hand.