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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Different embouchure for blow and draw?

1 reply [Last post]
Sun, 08/31/2025 - 11:58
speely
speely's picture
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Joined: 08/23/2025

Dear David,

I'm a complete beginner on the harmonica following along with your tongue blocking lessons.  I've enjoyed all the lessons very much so far.  It's been very valuable.  Thanks for making them.

One thing I've noticed is that I get a nice full sound on the 4-blow, for example, and then, when I do the 4-draw with the same embouchure, it sounds really thin, like not enough air is passing over the reed.  If I extend the right side of my mouth a bit more to the right, I get better results on a draw note.  But then sometimes when I go back to blowing with that same extended embouchure, I get a bit of the next higher note on the blow.

If I find that a slighty larger embouchure gives a better sound on the draw note, do you recommend that I practice that, or do I have some other problem that would be better to correct?

I suppose one possibility is that the blow notes are more forgiving of an embouchure that's too small, while the draw notes are more forgiving of an embouchure that's too big.  Perhaps I just need to keep practicing to get the embouchure that's just right for both the blow and the draw.

I'd appreciate any advice you have.

Thanks,

Scott

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Mon, 09/01/2025 - 12:03
#1
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello Scott. Welcome to the

Hello Scott.

Welcome to the site, and the harmonica.

A slightly larger embouchure all the time is a good idea. An open, warm, tone is what you can expect with an open embouchure.

What's happening on your draw is not a product of your mouth size though. You're getting an unintentional bend (lowering of the reed's pitch). Sometimes you'll not get a lowering of pitch, but the reed will sound airy (your case), or stall all together.

Blow notes are not very finicky... they tend to sound okay, unless you really close down your lips or embouchure. If your embouchure is a little too small, it's okay, because for a new player, your lips will typically blow out a little bit and the note will sound okay.

Draw notes are finicky. To fix this, focus on opening your embouchure a bit, and most importantly, lowering your tongue in the middle and back. A raised tongue will cause a bend.

Take a look at the first video on this page https://www.bluesharmonica.com/faq

You may also want to watch the Bending Study 1 lesson (https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/bending_study_level_1), not to study yet (it's too soon for you), but to see what all this bending stuff is about.

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