How to avoid lips getting dried while playing?
I have this song that I wish to play on a 16 hole chromatic harmonica. I first heard it on YouTube. I have figured out all the notes (at least to my satifaction) and now I am trying to play it.
The song repeats a similar melody three times. Its notes require two full octaves. The tempo is a little high for me, so I have to move up and down the register rather quickly. Wet lips/mouthpiece help reduce friction and make you glide smoothly. But by the time I get to the second part, neither my lips nor the mouthpiece remain wet any more. I start facing significant resistance.
Are there any tips for me?
If you wanna hear the song, it is the first 2 and a half minutes of this video:
Thanks. I use tongue block and now I'll be mindful of how further I can get the harp in my mouth. Also, I liked the spray bottle idea!
How far are you getting the harmonica into your mouth? The farther you can get it inside your lips, the more the natural moisture of your inner lips and oral cavity can help to keep supplying moisture to the harmonica mouthpiece.
Even if you don't tongue block, it's amazing how far you can get the harmonica into your mouth and still isolate a single note.
Another possibility is to use a small spray bottle that will spray water mist on the mouthpiece of the harmonica. Do this before you play, and during play, as needed.
I hope this helps.