Nose breathing
Nose-breathing... how bad is it? how to prevent/reduce it?
Self-taught player here. Bad habit of breathing through my nose too much (I think) while playing. It does, however, prevent me from becoming over-inflated (I can snort out the excess), but I'm sure it affects my tone and my ability to bend. Also sounds like a windstorm in the mic. However, I find it very difficult to stop nasal airflow completely when playing. I find myself literally holding my nose to get good bends. Anyone else do this? Are there better ways to achieve air-tightness?
OK. So I watched the video and I mostly do (have been already) exactly what you showed (with the the added exception of holding my nose). When puckering I can get bends pretty good (I started as a pucker player). Trying to learn tongue blocking, my bends seem weaker (tinnier?) UNLESS I hold my nose then they're much easier and fuller. Just figured I was "cheating" somehow.
OK. So I watched the video and I mostly do (have been already) exactly what you showed (with the the added exception of holding my nose). When puckering I can get bends pretty good (I started as a pucker player). Trying to learn tongue blocking, my bends seem weaker (tinnier?) UNLESS I hold my nose then they're much easier and fuller. Just figured I was "cheating" somehow.
When you're puckering, if you hold your nose, do you hear/feel any difference?
Definitely a difference (easier) with nose held for both pucker and tongued. Pucker bends feel easier and cleaner in general (though I do tend to get a "growl" in the back of my throat for 2-step bends). Tongue bends tend to sound either a bit choked (embouchure too small?) or a bit airy (open nose?) depending on my error at the time.
Okay, that's what I expected jonbouriaque. Work on developing the skill (using the techniques I teach on the site) to keep your nose closed while playing draw notes (for any embouchure). Tongue block bending is not as good right now, just because it's more new to you... keep at it, it will get better with time (it's all about reps).
Hello jonbouriaque. You're not the only one to have a challenge with this (and not the only one to physically hold their nose!). Go to https://www.bluesharmonica.com/faq and watch the video titled, "I run out of breath so easily!" Work with this for a while and let me know if you have any questions.