4 replies to this topic

[Stephemu]

I've done a search without any luck, so I'm going to post this and hope I'm not just a really bad searcher!

The thing is this: I can barely get anything but an ugly honking sound out of the two- and three-hole draws when trying to play single notes, and even the blows are a bit weak. I know the two-draw's supposed to be a little difficult, but I guess if I can't handle the three hole either my problem's a bit bigger!

The two and three holes play fine for chords.
I've had the harmonica for about a month, so it should be broken in.
I try to put the harp as far into my mouth as I can without playing more than one note.
I try to breath from the diaphragm.
I can tongue-block the three-hole draw and get an okay sound (for some reason I seem to find tongue-blocking easier than puckering, despite the fact that people keep saying it's more difficult), but I presume you can't tongue-block anything lower than that (or what would you block? You run out of holes! Unless you're meant to put your tongue on the other side...?) and I probably need to be able to do it the pucker way as well.

What I can't do is work out what I'm doing wrong! I'm guessing it must be one of those breathing or lip shape things, but I've tried my hardest to follow the advice I've read (and even watched on YouTube) on those, to no avail. Do I just need to keep trying until I crack it, or am I neglecting something vital?

I am going to look for a harmonica teacher in the new year, but in the meantime I wondered if anyone could suggest something and perhaps keep me sane until then! I'd hate to spend the next month or two standing in my room honking pitifully.

(Oh, and I'm playing a Hohner Blues Harp in C major, if that's at all relevant.)

[FatJim]

Try breathing in a little through your nose at the same time as drawing. Sometimes tilting the harp so the holes are more upward can help. You mentioned Youtube - did you see this John Gindick video:

[Stephemu]

After reading your advice I managed to get something (albeit a bit weakly) out of the two-hole draw, which is better than what I was getting before!

I still wasn't getting a three-draw, but then I watched the video you linked to, and while trying every conceivable alteration to my lip technique I suddenly got it perfectly. I realised, to my surprise, that what actually did it was lifting my tongue a bit and pressing the sides of it into the bottom of my upper teeth. The same improved the two-draw. If I also rest the tip of my tongue behind my bottom teeth I get an even better tone! Something to do with concentrating the airflow, perhaps? It all seems a bit odd (I haven't heard anyone mention tongue position before), but it works, so no complaints here!

Thanks for your help. Along with improving matters slightly on its own it got me trying various things, which ultimately led me to stumble across the big solution!

No more honking for me! :-D

[FatJim]

Tone is mostly about the resonance in your throat and mouth - dropping your tongue like that creates a bigger chamber to resonate and will indeed improve things. The position of your tongue - especially at the back is very important in note bending too.

Sounds like you'll be making big strides now!

[bionic pete]

Tongue blocking may not be for you, try playing and bending the indivisual notes Thats the way I learned. I tried the tongue blocking technique and it wasn't for me. Just remember you don't have to tongue block to play well. It works for most people well so its a popular way to learn.