Problems with 8 and 9 Holes
Hi, Dave. I'm almost ready to graduate from LOA 1, after almost 4 months. But I have a setback and I'd like some advice. I bought a Bb Crossover Marine Band so I could play to the TB Ex 4 The Split Jam Track, and I cannot get any sound out of the 8 and 9 holes, primarily draw, no matter how I position my mouth and no matter how softly I draw. So I'm doing something wrong and I know it's not the harmonica, though I can get those notes from my C (Fender Blues deVille) and my A (Crrossover Marine Band). Can you point to me to one of the lessons on the web site so I can basicallty start over in the upper holes? Thanks. Dave Menken.
Thanks. The video helped a lot. I knew it wasn't the harmonica. Speaking of which, I really like the Hohner Crossover Marine Band in Bb. I also like the Bb sound. Maybe I'm imagining, but it seems to be a better instrument in many ways than the Fender Blues deVille and the Hohner Special 20, which I bought first. Maybe I think that because they're more expensive?
Great, I'm glad to hear. The Hohner Crossover is a better instrument, you got it right. In my opinion it's the best harmonica ever manufactured (the Marine Band Deluxe is also very nice... just a comb change and a slightly different temperament tuning, but I've found the Crossover to be a little more consistent out of the box).
Hello Dave. It could be the harmonicas, but you're probably right that it's a technique issue.
Go to this page https://www.bluesharmonica.com/faq and study this video "My 2 draw and/or high-end notes sounds flat, airy or not at all!"
Make sure to follow the suggestion of looking in a mirror with the harmonica out of your mouth (open your mouth a bit more so you can see your tongue well). Students often think their tongue is lowered in the middle and back, but when looking in a mirror they're surprised to see their tongue is humped up like a ski jump.