Suggestion from a noob

Technique
1

Hi there,

I’m sure @Luke gets plenty of suggestions for Youtube content, and sorry if this has been done or suggested before.

Anyway, as a learner I find I am able to make a whole lot of sounds a harp just isn’t supposed to make. I know these sounds are the result of bad technique, but sometimes it takes me ages to pinpoint exactly what I’m doing wrong.

I’m sure I’m not the only learner in this situation.

To make the most of practice time, I think it could be helpful to make a video of the most common honks, whistles, bleats and bad notes and explain ways to remedy them.

Cheers to harmonica.com and thanks for enabling my new healthy addiction!

Jeff

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2

Good idea. @Luke

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3

Noted! Meanwhile, please let me know if any of these annoying sounds that you’re having so I can help diagnose them for you! Rock on! :smiling_face_with_sunglasses:

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4

I have progressed a lot since I made that post, but that just means I am making different mistakes.

One I make at the moment is hearing air blowing when I am trying to do bends on higher pitched harps

I imagine you probably hear a lot of recurring noises from players of all standards that indicate something is not quite right.

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5

It could just be the harmonica itself is not airtight. What model/make is the harp you’re hearing it on?

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Haha, thanks Luke, but I’m not ready to blame the equipment just yet! I use an Lee Oskar in E and a Suzuki Bluesmaster in C.

Pretty sure I’m doing something weird with my lips, like moving them away from the hole. Probably trying too hard.

Where I’m at with my playing I’m happy to persevere.

In my original post I was hearing all sorts of grunts and squeaks as well as things like hitting the single note, but being too high. Just technique errors that took me a while to isolate

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7

I record my tunes that I can play w/o any tabs, etc. This will give you the things that need the most work. It also helps with my biggest issues R and R, Rhythm and rich notes. Listening is a great way to learn, especially when you are trying to get the rhythm correct. It seems the closer i get the more small mistakes show up.

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@JeffSims Highly recommend this exercise:

I know it’s not working on single notes, but nothing is gonna help you develop your tone as much as doing this for a few minutes a day!

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9

Yes, there is much wisdom in that video.

I normally do the '1 Thing You Need to Get Good @ Blues Harmonica as my ‘5 minute daily exercise’, but I agree that it is time to revisit the tone train to strengthen the fundamentals.

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10

Yeah man, even 2m a day at cruising speed with metronome, no breaking the groove will work WONDERS, I promise. :oncoming_fist:t3:

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11

@JeffSims , I can attest that @Luke’s Practice THIS daily (5 minutes) exercise is very helpful! It’s been great for my breath control, tone, rhythm, and overall accuracy.

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12

True. It’s all about the relaxation and tension control for me

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