Harmonica Lessons.com
Harmonica Store.com
Shipping informationHarmonica Store.com
Harmonica Store.com

Harmonica Lessons.com Discussion Forums

Subject: "Signs of either me being out of shape or the harp (AUDIO REPLY AT MEMBERS FORUM)" Archived thread - Read only
    Previous Topic | Next Topic
Printer-friendly copy    
Conferences Beginner's Forum Topic #363
Reading Topic #363
qqjjz
Member since Jan-14-07
71 posts		 Mar-23-07, 05:34 AM (PST)
Click to EMail qqjjz Click to send private message to qqjjz Click to view user profileClick to add this user to your buddy list Click to send message via AOL IM  
"Signs of either me being out of shape or the harp (AUDIO REPLY AT MEMBERS FORUM)"
 
LAST EDITED ON Mar-25-07 AT 09:05 AM (PDT) by webmaster (admin)
 
I've bought a Lee Oskar and had it since the beginning of January. I dont play more than 30 mins a day and lately its been less due to work and what not. I have found recently that when I draw hole 2 and 3 I get winded far easier than any other hole on the harp. I'm certain it is a result of me trying to keep the sound loud.

Is using more energy on those two hole draws normal or am I just plain out of shape? Or perhaps the reeds on those holes have finally had it?

When in doubt, bust out and play.


  Printer-friendly page | Top

 
Conferences | Topics | Previous Topic | Next Topic
webmasteradmin
Member since Jan-20-03
2015 posts		 Mar-23-07, 09:08 AM (PST)
Click to view user profileClick to add this user to your buddy list  
1. "RE: Signs of either me being out of shape or the harp"
In response to message #0
 
LAST EDITED ON Mar-23-07 AT 09:11 AM (PDT)
 
Joe,

It's not likely it's the harmonica after a few months, but it's possible.

The likely problem is that you are NOT actually breathing through those low draw holes, but instead, sucking. Typically, the more energy you attempt to use on those holes to force the sound out, the worse the ultimate outcome in terms of quality of sound and the more energy you expend.

Take a look at this page-
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/breathng4.php

Here's more posts with similar problems (see BEGINNERS TOPICS: Hole 2 Draw Problems (and 8, 9, and others)-
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/dcforum/DCForumID1/318.html

Try for a few days and let me know how it goes.

--
Play on,
Dave Gage

Hear Dave Play:
Myspace Jukebox 1
Myspace Jukebox 2

New website: Harmonica 4 Kids.com


  Printer-friendly page | Top
qqjjz
Member since Jan-14-07
71 posts		 Mar-24-07, 05:14 AM (PST)
Click to EMail qqjjz Click to send private message to qqjjz Click to view user profileClick to add this user to your buddy list Click to send message via AOL IM  
2. "RE: Signs of either me being out of shape or the harp"
In response to message #1
 
I was figuring that was my deal at first though the sound, when I compare it to a midi file, sounds just as it should. I'm using my diaphram as instructed but the sound is simply not as loud as i'd like. I am certain that the draw is clean because when I do suck the air though, I get a horrible sound thats not even a real note.

Maybe it is simply that I am not used to the lower end draw sounds as they are deeper on the scale and sound quieter to me?

I DO know that compared to any other hole I cannot hold the note on 2 draw nearly as long as any other including hole one.

Its as if the tone of that particular hole, even using the same amount of energy just sounds weaker to me thus I think I am not doing it right and use more and drain myself.

When in doubt, bust out and play.


  Printer-friendly page | Top
webmasteradmin
Member since Jan-20-03
2015 posts		 Mar-24-07, 10:24 AM (PST)
Click to view user profileClick to add this user to your buddy list  
3. "RE: Signs of either me being out of shape or the harp"
In response to message #2
 
Joe,

Trust me on this one. You ARE sucking with your lips and mouth. It may not feel like it to you now, but you are. This is possibly the most common problem/complaint that I've run into in 30 years. Correct diaphragmatic breathing is the most difficult and complex technique of advanced harmonica playing. I've gotten close to 1000 emails and posts regarding this over the last 10 years online.

Don't worry about any of this, it will come when it comes. Most of my private students through the years continue to work on it after 2-3 years of practice, feedback, and instruction. It's tough !! Not every pro out there has perfect technique, but it doesn't stop them from making good music. For examples of how great breathing technique can make the harmonica sound amazing, check CDs by Paul Butterfield, James Cotton, and Sonny Boy Williamson II (to name a few).

Check out the bending section of the site in regards to bending and "not" bending. This is part of the problem also. Play around with tilting the harmonica up and down as explained on this page-
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/bending.php

Get the harmonica as far into your mouth as you can (without losing the single note). This will make it difficult to suck with your lips even if you want to. See these posts on "Vertical Slot"-
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/dcforum/DCForumID1/254.html#1
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/dcforum/DCForumID1/308.html#6

Lastly, post an MP3 file of your sound on these holes online or email a 20 second clip to me to listen to. Info on setting up a free site-
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/dcforum/DCForumID3/468.html

--
Play on,
Dave Gage

Hear Dave Play:
Myspace Jukebox 1
Myspace Jukebox 2

New website: Harmonica 4 Kids.com


  Printer-friendly page | Top
qqjjz
Member since Jan-14-07
71 posts		 Mar-24-07, 02:56 PM (PST)
Click to EMail qqjjz Click to send private message to qqjjz Click to view user profileClick to add this user to your buddy list Click to send message via AOL IM  
4. "RE: Signs of either me being out of shape or the harp"
In response to message #3
 
Alright I'll send you a file in the mail as soon as I have time to record one and post here when I have done so.

When in doubt, bust out and play.


  Printer-friendly page | Top
qqjjz
Member since Jan-14-07
71 posts		 Mar-24-07, 11:42 PM (PST)
Click to EMail qqjjz Click to send private message to qqjjz Click to view user profileClick to add this user to your buddy list Click to send message via AOL IM  
5. "RE: Signs of either me being out of shape or the harp"
In response to message #4
 
Alright. I have sent a sample to your emailgage account. One long draw on two, then two quick blows followed with a repeat.

When in doubt, bust out and play.


  Printer-friendly page | Top
webmasteradmin
Member since Jan-20-03
2015 posts		 Mar-25-07, 09:02 AM (PST)
Click to view user profileClick to add this user to your buddy list  
6. "This Topic will be continued at the Members Forum"
In response to message #5
 
LAST EDITED ON Mar-25-07 AT 03:48 PM (PDT)
 
Excellent. I should be able to take a listen and respond later today or tomorrow morning (busy family day today).

I will continue this Topic over at the Members forum. So, yourself and all current Members who want to be involved with future audio and video replies through these forums will need to request to be added to that forum.

More on Members Forum-
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/dcforum/DCForumID2/344.html

--
Play on,
Dave Gage

Hear Dave Play:
Myspace Jukebox 1
Myspace Jukebox 2

New website: Harmonica 4 Kids.com


  Printer-friendly page | Top

Conferences | Topics | Previous Topic | Next Topic