2 draw
I'm having a lot of trouble on my 2 draw trying to keep my tongue from humping up in the back and also keeping my nose closed. Do you have any tips for this or does it just take practice?
Thanks
I am a first time player and I have a new C harmonica and cannot get a good sound from a 1 draw.
Can you send an audio for a 1 draw? Perhap my new harmonica has a defective 1 draw.
Thx, Don
Hello Don, welcome to the harmonica.
Having issues with the 1 draw is common. Visit the FAQ page (https://www.bluesharmonica.com/faq) and watch the first video listed (My 2 draw and/or high-end notes sounds flat, airy or not at all!) for the fix.
I work with students on how to play the 1 draw in the C Harmonica Intro Lesson (https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/c_harmonica_intro_lesson), specifically Section 3, Chorus 2.
Hi David,
I have no problems on drawing all other holes. Only on hole 1
I am using a Hohner Marine Band C 1896.
I returned the first harp and received another one and still have the same problem. So it must be me since i'm a new player.
I listened to your 1D in Section 3 Choir 2 and it sounds great. My 1D sound is nowhere near yours. It's very dull.
I guess I have to keep trying different mouth/tougue poistions. Very frustrating.
Thx again, Don
You'll get it Don... it's just part of the instrument. It's the same for other instruments. It takes many, many months to get a note out of a clarinet or saxophone before it stop squawking for example. Same for horns, but for them it's about getting the right note to sound. Again, you'll get it with time and practice... keep at it.
If you're on the 1, are you doing any tongue blocking at all? Or is your mouth just so far to the left that it's mostly off the harmonica?
Hello Thomas. For hole 1 move your tongue to the right (what we call a Tongue Switch). Take a look at the lesson
Tongue Block Study 1 (https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/tongue_blocking_1), and go to "Section 2 - Study Song Walk with Me,” and watch the "Chorus 2" video... I speak of hole 1 there in more detail.
Thanks! I was just 2 lessons short of seeing that.
Hello trevorgrab. It is a good challenge to sound the 2 without bending it, thus the focus on lowering the tongue. When lowering the tongue, a lot of people will also open their throat and nasal cavity. So, there lies the challenge. Unfortunately, I don't have any quick fixes, this will be focused attention over time.