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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

My cheeks are moving

1 reply [Last post]
Mon, 01/25/2016 - 15:16
Jonathan Ahlberg
Jonathan Ahlberg's picture
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Level 7
Joined: 01/24/2016

Hi, a harp player from Sweden here! My cheeks are moving when I´m playing the harp. It looks like when Little Walter is playing. Is it bad to move your cheeks when blowing the harp? Your cheeks (David Barrett) are completely still, Why?

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Mon, 01/25/2016 - 15:55
#1
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello Jonathan. It's okay if

Hello Jonathan. It's okay if your cheeks move a little bit, but you don't want them so relaxed that they have to blow up first and then the air travels through the harmonica (picture Dizzy Gillespie), creating a delay in sound. Mine are probably very still because of my past experience playing the saxophone and trumpet, where excess movement of the cheeks is considered poor technique. I've truthful never focused on it, it's just the way I play.

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