Re: [Harp-L] The Ashby Method for Overbending

[Mike Best <mike.d.best@xxxxxx>]

So Neil considers that playing the harp upside down is a "non-standard embouchure" and hence not worthy of his comment. Perhaps he should try this simple test:

1. Overblow hole 6 holding the harp normally
2. Check the position of your lips, tongue, teeth, whatever
3. Turn the harp over
4. Find hole 6 and overblow it
5. Compare position of lips, tongue etc to (2) above

Is there any change? NO. Overblowing on an upside down harp is EXACTLY the same as a regular harp. Any talk of changing the direction of airflow etc is just plain wrong

Anyway leaving that aside, good luck to Neil for coming up with a method which is apparently helping some folks achieve overblows. But maybe it would be good if those folks could post directly to harp-l rather than leaving it up to Neil to quote them

Mike

> On 3 Nov 2014, at 4:25 am, Brian Irving <brian.irving@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> 
> Playing "upside down" should not make any difference, other than reversing the direction of the air flow (to the appropriate side of the hole) to achieve overblows, if that technique is, indeed as effective as claimed. I've played "upside down" from day 1 and I manage to bash out a tune or two, incorporating all traditional blow and draw bends and octave splits as necessary, without getting thrown out of any bars (or bands!).  
> B
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx [mailto:harp-l-bounces@xxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Harmonicology [Neil Ashby]
> Sent: 02 November 2014 19:36
> To: harp-l
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] The Ashby Method for Overbending
> 
> (1) Below is among the comments I received that was not "cc:" to Harp-L:
> 
> "That's amazing.  I've been playing for 55 years and the one technique that has baffled me, despite various suggestions from my customizers is the overblow.
> I tried this and had instant gratification.  Many thanks.
> "
> 
> (2) Pertaining "playing the harp numbers down" then I consider that to be a non-standard embouchure and would not bother to comment. Somebody on YouTube performs with the harp backward in his mouth and selects the notes via covering holes with his fingers; that is another non-standard embouchure and he ought even not consider overbends. 
> 
> /Neil
> 
>