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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

breathing

1 reply [Last post]
Fri, 07/17/2020 - 10:45
francisco-gago
francisco-gago's picture
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Level 2
Joined: 01/25/2017

Hello, I'm a begining harmonica player and I'm having trouble breathing while I play. What happens is I go through a phrase or exercise and I will feel that I'm completely out of breath, even a little tired. I know in the first lessons we are told to close our nasal cavities and breathe through the harmonica and when I'm doing a simple 4 hole chord I have no problem doing that. However, if I try to do a single note scale I will not be able to get enough air and eventually get very tired. What am I doing wrong?

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Fri, 07/17/2020 - 12:56
#1
David Barrett
David Barrett's picture
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello Francisco. I understand

Hello Francisco. I understand what you're saying. Luckily, the fix is an easy one. When you feel like you're not getting enough breathing though the harmonica, open your nose. As you play, you draw and blow into the harmonica as well as blowing and drawing through your nose. Once the feeling of not having enough air is gone, then you can close the nose. With practice, you. can control how much of your nose is open. Here's a lesson on how to control the nose https://www.bluesharmonica.com/faq (I run out of breath so easily!). P.S., make sure your nose is closed while bending (you'll learn this later in your studies)... you cannot bend with your nose open.

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