breathing harp harmonica control

At 0:44 Dr Bahnson speaks about the soft palate being pushed back against the pharynx. This is what closes off the nasal tract so that all inspired and expired air travels through the harmonica. If you find yourself gasping for air after playing a short passage... your nasal tract is open. To get a feeling for when it's closed... yawn. Speaking while yawning you'll hear the result of closing off the additional resonating chamber of the nose... a whiny tone... the oral cavity AND nasal cavity are open normally during speech. continue reading...