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leaking air

2 replies [Last post]
Wed, 04/12/2017 - 05:42
Monty Wheeler
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Joined: 03/09/2017

hi. I am a month old newbie to this site  and tounge blocking and thus far love it, but I'm missing something in technique.  in holes 1 and 2 both blow and draw I'm leaking air from the left corner of my mouth. tried deeper into mouth, not as deep, pressing harder (read in a different thread that's the reason corners of mouth getting sore so working on that) changing angle of harmonica and angle of harmonica in relation to face, as well as trying to seal the end of harmonica with corner of mouth which does not work well either. 

what'm I missing?

thanks for great site

Monty

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Fri, 04/14/2017 - 10:44
#1
Expert Winslow Yerxa
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Joined: 01/16/2010
Try this (diagnostic procedure)

Try this (maybe you have already).

  1. Play Draw 4.
  2. Note the sensation of contact between the harmonica, your tongue, and your lips. 
  3. Continue to inhale - no interruptions in the flow of breath. (You can stop and take a breath before continuing if you need to.)
  4. Now slide down to Draw 3, paying attention to the sensations in the left corner of your mouth (lips and tongue on the harmonica, and lips and tongue in relation to each other.
  5. Next, slide down to Draw 2.
  6. What part(s) of the harmonica is you tongue touching?
  7. What contact do you feel between your tongue and your lips at the left edge?

If the leakage is coming from the left corner, then that's the place to monitor.

  • Can you feel the left edge of you tongue touching your inner cheek?
  • Can you feel the left edge of your tongue touching the left corner of your mouth, where upper and lower lips meet?
  • Can you feel the front edge of your tongue touching both the upper and lower lip in the area not occupied by the harmonica?
  • Can you feel the front edge of your tongue touching the left front of the harmonica (to the left of Hole 1)?
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Thu, 04/13/2017 - 11:51
#2
Monty Wheeler
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Joined: 03/09/2017
gratitude

hey.  thanks!  betwseen your diagnostics and rewatching the walk with me chorus 2 instructional vid I figured out tonge was not no where near far enough to the left.

 

I'm on the right track  :)

Monty

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