Chord Articulation (Part 2)

Here are the common ways to articulate a chord. Keep in mind that this is not embouchure-specific. In other words, these are articulations that pucker and tongue block players can use equally when playing a chord, such as draw or blow holes 1 2 3 (as seen in Ex. 1.2 of Solo Harmonica Study 1).

1) HA - Not actually an articulation (you have to close off the airstream momentarily to be a true articulation), but is one way of creating differentiation between a stream of similar pitches (think Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha....

2) TA - This is the common articulation for pucker players (tongue block players will not tend to use this due to the fact that when they tongue block the tip of the tongue is not available for articulation in this fashion, but remember we're talking about a chord here, not a single note or octave).

3) KA - Great for all embouchure players (the go-to articulation for tongue blockers).

4) Throat - Same as the muscles we use for a tremolo (vocal chord area). This is the most common articulation for all embouchure players for blow single-notes, blow octaves and blow chords (though TA, KA and Pull are all really nice for chords when trying to achieve some "snap" in their chords).

5) Pull - Tongue covers all holes and plucks off for the articulation (see Tongue Block Study 3)