2 draw is really making me angry (my nice word)
I just passed Level 1 and feeling all righteous I dove into level 2 and low and behold the dreaded 2 draw.
I've done so much self analyzing I could throw the POS at the wall.
What I seem to know so far.
1. I can get 2 draw to play well by just breathing in.
I can feel the air going in my nose and when I breath out I can definitely feel it coming out.
And I fill up with air instantly
So issues with closing off the nasal cavity - check
2. I don't have this issue with other notes
- Makes me feel like I am sucking the other notes, and therefore I am doing it all wrong. Mother Trucker....
- Ok maybe that is a bit drastic, but I know it is me and not the harmonica
3. I can play 2 draw like a pro if I plug my nose with my fingers. WTF?
- Not thinking that is a great habit to form
4. I can occasionally seem to close off my nose with tongue jiujitsu
- Today in the car I am pretty sure I gagged myself with my own tongue
- I can not repeat the position with any sense of reliability (just guess work)
5. Yes I have watched every video I could find.
Those guys are fakes and just playing 3 blow - I know it
Rant over. Needed to get that off my chest. I remember when I started Level 1 I thought I would never be able to control my tongue enough to tongue block and now I could not imagine any other method. So I will keep at it, and at it, until I cease to suck (literally and figuratively).
Is the issue finding a good way to close your nose?
If so, think about blowing up a balloon.
You can't blow up a balloon without closing your nose.
Close your mouth and try to exhale, but imagine you're blowing up a balloon. Your cheeks should puff out because the air can't get out.
Follow up by trying to inhale - your cheeks should suck in.
What you're doing is wagging the soft palate - the flexible back part of the roof of your mouth - upward to block off the nasal passages. (You can also wag it down to to close off your ability to swallow).
Your tongue has absolutely no involvement in this.
I demionstrate this in one of the videos for Harmonica For Dummies, Second Edition. Go here:
And scroll down to Video 0302 on the right: "Closing your nasal passages, and the warm hand."
The video was very helpful. My 2 draw is slowly getting better. Hopefully I'll lool back one day and say remember when you could not even play a 2 draw...
When I started working with the 2 I thought it was broken. It takes a lot of time to control that hole and the associated bends. Resist the temptation to use more air and just work methodically to get it right. It will come with practice.