I’m a self-taught blues harp player from the pre-internet era, so I basically learnt by copying stuff from recordings. Something that got pointed out to me after I had been playing for 3-4 years was that I slant or angle the harp, in particular to play single notes.
Like him, this was just something I found myself doing when trying to figure out how to get clean single notes (and for bends also) it wasn’t a conscious method I deliberately chose. I seem to increase the angle of the slant as I play higher notes. For chords and train impressions, the angle is far less slanted (and might even be completely level).
Does anyone else use the slant technique? I would be interested to hear any views on this approach (positive or negative).
Hello @ralphwindso,
Yes, I also use the oblique technique! But not in general, it depends on the model of the harp! With some models, bending tones are better. With others, it’s more of a shame because my lower lip blocks the channel and makes it difficult to play the sound clearly.
I think I may be a slanter as I’ve had people ask me why I play my harp at a weird angle, it comes from cheek blocking but when I started tongue blocking I was just so used to the angle of the harp I didn’t bother changing it. It just felt comfortable playing it that way, and I get a great tone that way. I never really noticed it until I was asked about it by other players in the audience which was surprising because I was unaware it was an odd angle
