For several weeks I have been practicing single notes according to Luke instruction of lip blocking/semi pucker! Putting aside a U shaped tongue and blowing through upper lip! After tipping harp up and relaxing as Luke said my lower lip began to conform to playing one note! I am able now to hold harp straight and play single notes comfortably! Thank you harmonica.com!
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Glad to hear it! Keep it up and have fun - I think harmonica is one of the most challenging and fun instruments to learn, every time you think you’ve learned all the techniques…..THERES ANOTHER ONE!!!
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Great I started with a focus on single note play and am glad I did. I also use the U shape approach. There are times when I do not get the quality and consistency I want. The things that need to be corrected are letting the harp move a bit forward, not drooping my jaw enough to use the narrower opening to isolate noes and not keeping the tongue flat. Progress is being made as practice is the best tool to make and learn from mistakes, turn them into learning experiences. Playing single notes well and rhythm are a must for what I like to play. Slowing down makes playing a melody much easier and better. I play a couple of very slow melody’s that are very slow and involve moving up and down the harp. It helps with rhythm and single note play. Any mistake shows up very well.
Amazing @Tommy1 I thin that’s gonna serve you really well when you get ready to start learning bending!!
Tommy1 Have you tried playing your harp in a very dark room? This has helped me with the single notes that require I move such as a -3 to 7. My biggest fight has been lip grab as I live in a place that is very dry and the moisture inside the kips can dry quickly. I finally tried coconut oil. I place a very light amount on the outside of the harp and some on the inside of the portion of the lip that is moist. I does not get into the harp and makes playing much easier. I took B T B and Luke mentioned that dropping the lower jaw helps isolate a single note. A a lip purse player this really helps. The days I am removing gravity with 100% notes that suck its something I woke up with that day. Its things like not keeping the tongue flat or playing to fast. Always something but I now know its a fundamental issue and figure out what is the fault of the day. I very much agree that being able to play rich single notes is the foundation you can build from. Its the way I started and have no regrets about it. What is being built on top of my foundation is yet to be determined.
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I use a chap stick to keep my mouth soft enough to play single notes through lower lip covering hole on either side!
“Blistex” medicated lip balm!
I like playing “The magnificent Seven” riff and also “Low rider” riff to practice going from hole 3 to 7! Practice enough and hands muscle memories brings the harp to the mouth without looking down at the numbers!
I am using Luke’s version of “Low Rider” with out bends!
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I finally tried coconut oil and it is great. Just alight coat on the face plate edges and my lower lip. It does not get sticky like chapstick, which I think has alcohol in it.