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5 Hole Octaves

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Wed, 06/11/2014 - 13:51
Francis
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Joined: 03/30/2013

Hi David...when you play 5 hole draw octaves, in addition to making a wide frowning/smiling face, do you place the harmonica up higher on the tongue? Or is it basically on the same area as when you're in normal play?

 

This skill is a real challenge. Probably the hardest since the 3 hole bends.

 

Thanks...Fran 

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Wed, 06/11/2014 - 14:06
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David Barrett
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Joined: 12/20/2009
Answer

Hello Fran. Yes, use more of the top of your tongue. Simply put, the less holes you block with your tongue the more of the front you use and the tongue and the more holes you black the further back of the tongue you use. So, open your mouth a tad, use a big smile and frown to make wide embouchure and stick out your tongue (under the harmonica) to access the wider back area of the tongue. Keep at it, you'll get it. It took me about a year to get it accurately into my playing, but man, what a big sound... it was well-worth the effort. Best wishes on getting it dialed in.

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