A harp 2 hole draw
How would you know if/when it's the harp and not the player?
I have the same challege. In fact I sent mine back to Hohner only to be told the harp is fine but 2 draw is difficult. I have tried even to put my fingers over 1 and 3 and try very soft draws. I have tried opening my mouth. The sound is still like a dieing calf (so my wife says). The fellow from Hohner said it sometimes works to open the nasal passages during the draw. No luck for me.
Please provide some help. Thank you.
Hello gwknopp. What's known is that you're unintentionally bending the 2 draw. What is also known is that you need to lower the middle and back of your tongue. Your challenge is that you may think you're lowering the back of your tongue, but without visual confirmation you may swear that your tongue is down, but it in fact is not.
Go in front of a mirror and without the harmonica open your mouth and experiment with raising lowering the back of the tongue... you may be surprised at how challenging lowering the back of the tongue can be.
Experiment, it will take you time (for most students it takes a couple of the months to fix, this is why I primarily use 3+ instead of 2 draw in your opening lessons).
Take a look at the first video on this page http://www.bluesharmonica.com/faq, this may also help you.
Best wishes on this... it will happen... just give it time.
I tried this and got immediate improvement in tone. When I saw James Cotton play last month I was amazed at the jaw and cheek movements. I suspect this is what was going on. Thanks
Fantastic, great to hear.
P.S., the cheek movement is a red herring, focus on the size of the mouth cavity.
Hello Bones53. It's rare that it's the harmonica. Also knowing this is an extremely common issue for new players (the most common issue), it again leans heavily towards the player. With this said, in rare cases it can be the harp, but to be honest, the only way to know is by giving it to a player experienced enough to not have that issue to check. You can play a soft draw chord... holes 1 2 and 3. Keep your mouth open and relaxed, with the middle and back of your tongue on the floor of your mouth. Play this chord softly and if it sounds okay, then you know it's you when trying the play the 2 draw by itself.