cupping

I'm seeing a lot of students squeezing the harp when holding. Relax those hands... if you're not achieving the desired result, experiment with the angle of your hands. Visit http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/cupping_hand_effects and http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/intro_lesson_1_18_harmonica_insights

And now for the fourth point of the 4-Point hold...

The webbing of skin between your thumb and forefinger creates a nice backstop for the left side of the harmonica. The location of where you place the corner of the harmonica depends on the size and shape of your left hand, but the general ideas is simple... allow a little bit of the rear, left-hand corner of the harmonica settle into that area at some point so that it prevents the harmonica from sliding away from your mouth as you play. continue reading...

The basic 2-Point Hold has the position of the forefinger (A) on the top and thumb (B) on the bottom, but there's nothing stopping the harmonica from pushing away from your mouth as you play. In today's picture note that the middle finger (C) is behind the harmonica, between the comb and upper cover plate. This gives you a 3-Point Hold, making for a more secure harmonica and relaxed holding hand. continue reading...

Yes, you can just pick up the harp and play, but since we're studying how to play well, why not use a hold that's more stable and minimizes fatigue? Let's start today by looking at the basic 2-Point Hold (Pic 1 - 2 Points Contact.jpg). Note the position of the forefinger (A) on the top and thumb (B) on the bottom. Look at this, and then look at your hold and study how other parts of your hand (we're only talking about your left hand right now) may assist you in this hold. continue reading...

The next time you're at your local hardware store take a stole down the fence supplies isle and grab a chain link fence cap. The most common size is 2-3/8", which is the same size as our bullet microphones. This is the inside diameter measurement, so it will feel a tad large, but it's pretty darn close. This is a great bullet mic analog for those wishing to get used to holding a bullet microphone before they make the investment for a real one. You can also play into it like a cup, creating cool, cavernous Wa Wa and Hand Tremolo effects. Not a bad tool, and under $1! continue reading...

We work very hard as blues harmonica players to develop an air-tight cup to achieve a dark and bassy tone. A common issue though with an overly tight cup is a sound, that when placed into context with a band, is often too dark and muted. The next time you perform live or record in the studio, try relaxing your hands a tad to allow just a little bit of your cup to leak. You'll still achieve good volume, tone and bass, but some of the muted nature of your cup will decrease and the higher frequencies responsible for making your playing cut through and be heard better are increased.

Fellow student SmokeJS has the following tip for you. The special mic he refers to is the bullet mic I had made for teaching mic cupping technique that has a halogen bulb in place of a mic cartridge.

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A tight cup is used in preparation for a Wa or Tremolo in acoustic playing, or when holding a bullet mic for amplified playing. Whether you use the Pinch, End Cap or Two Thumbs Up approach taught in your lessons, each have the common element of an airtight cup (I'm not saying you have to squeeze your hands tightly, but your cup results in an airtight cup). A great way to test this is to hold your harmonica in your normal way... close your cup (in preparation for a Wa acoustically or for deep bass amplified)... drop your harmonica into your lap... continue reading...

Cup your harmonica so that it's not squeezed airtight, but closed nonetheless. Most players hold the harmonica with their left hand and open/close their cupped hands using the wrist of their right hand at a speed slightly faster than a triplet (this depends on the tempo of a song, slower relative to fast tempos and faster relative to slow tempos). When your hands are closed, both the volume is soft and the tone is muted and bassy. When your hand open, the volume is loud and mid and high frequencies are back with a less tubby tone. Both volume and tone are changed in a hand tremolo. continue reading...