Hey there
I learnt basic skills a couple years ago, but put the harmonica away for a long time. Now I want go play a bit to my guitar in my band, no fancy stuff, just basic melodies. Now I bought a brand new Marine Band Deluxe in D and I struggle a lot to get the 7th hole blow (high D) clean. If I block the holes with the fingers, the sounds seems clean, but I owerblow it faster than other notes, also the draw is difficult. I can can do all other notes, especially down holes 2-5 very easily, bit the D in hole seven almost never works. When using the neck rack it is barely impossible. It drives me a little crazy - so I am wondering is it inly my skills or are the hogher notes more difficult? Probably also being in the key of D? Or could it be a factory problem? I am thankful for opinions of the pros! Thank you!
@raketenmann 99.9% this is a technique issue, and not the fault of your Marine Band Deluxe.
Everybody struggles with high notes, ESPECIALLY at the beginning.
-7, -8 are the most frequent ones that REALLY trip people up, but anything above 6 can prove problematic!
Remember to be patient with yourself. This may take some timeâŚ
These are the tips for a getting good clean high notes.
1.) Let gravity lower your jaw so that itâs totally relaxed and in a nice âawâ vowel shape, your teeth should be far apart from each other
2.) Keep the back of your tongue down, like it is when you yawn. Make sure itâs not in the âKkâ zone (how your tongue is when you say a âKkâ consonant.)
3.) Nice steady, GENTLE, airflow. Most beginners (and many intermediate and advanced players) use WAY to much pressure.
Hope that helps! 
Even Mick Jagger struggles with high notes, youâre in good company. 
Aloha,
Luke
Hey Luke
Thanks so much. Well, this helps a lot! I wasnât aware of that, in some tutorials it was mentioned that that for example the 2 hole draw seems to be a tough one to master - noone talking about the high notes 
However, one last thing still unclear: when reading about ghe deep relaxed mouth technique, I reed thag the harmonica should be angled downwards. Is this only to find a better lip opening or does it need to be thst way always? Because then I would need to get a better rack. I only habe the classic K&M old schoool rack - i tried to curve it in the vise, now it stands pretty righangled in my mouth, but I donât think i can get it more angledâŚ
If youâre getting single notes by angle in the harmonica, thatâs great. But you wonât need to do that forever. Itâs just a crutch until your mouth really figures out exactly what to do, and then youâll be able to dispense with it. When it clean on the rack I think itâs always great to work with just the harmonica first and then once you get it solid on the harmonica, then start working with it on the rack
I was discussing this issue with a harp tech and I have tremendous respect for his work and knowledge. He suggested I extend my tongue toward my teeth but not to them when playing the high draws. It does help. Tilt the harp up as well. Its the little things I pick up that seem to make the biggest impact. Tilting the harp up helps keep moisture out of the harp and does make these notes easier. The best way to explain how hard to draw or blow these notes was a comment Luke made. He said blow these notes like you were blowing a candle but not hard enough to put the flame out. I picked a couple of tunes that have several of these notes in them and practicing these tunes has improved the right side of the harp. I feel they will always be a bit tougher but practice build confidence and confidence breeds success. The more I practice the luckier I get.
The high draws are tougher to play with confidence