Sore mouth
Hey David,
Ive just signed up to your excellent site and have started to go through the tongue blocking lessons.
What I'm finding is that when tongue blocking the corners of my mouth rub against the harmonica which leaves them feeling quite sore.
I've tried lubricating the harp with my spit as you demonstrate, however this only keeps the harp wet for a couple of bars, and then it feels as though my lips gets stuck to the harp and get rubbed raw..
With lip pursing I don't seem to have this problem, I think because the parts of my lips in contact with the harp are the more moist insides of my mouth.
Do you know what I am doing wrong and how I could fix it?
Thanks
(ps. Sorry to any one who's squeamish about the realities of harp play and bodily fluids!)
Thanks for the quick response.
You have mentioned the importance of a light touch several times. I just glossed over that detail.
Thanks, I will play around with that and see how lightly I can go as soon as I can break free from this shackles that is my employment!
I think I asked David the exact same question when I first started a few months ago. I found that the soreness goes away with time. I've been learning to play with Lee Oskar harmonicas and I had to file down the sharp edges. That actually helped alot. Also just lightening up a bit like David said and tilting the harp against your right cheek if you can (see cupping lessons).
-Taylor
I spent the evening working on playing as lightly as possible and it does make a huge difference! I never realised quite how tense I was.
It has also helped my playing sound much smoother and even.
I can't play quite as fast as I have to savor every note, but I'm sure with practice I can build that up from a stronger base.
Thanks.
I'm playing a Special 20 at the minute and I'm really appreciating those smooth plastic edges right now.
I have a Suzuki Bluesmaster which is hopefully being delivered any second now!
Great!
Hi David,
Ever since I was a kid, I've had canker sores once in a while. I started playing blues harmonica a week and a half ago and I got them again after three days of practicing. I read your answer to the mouth sore question, so I ordered a special 20 and started playing more carefully. Is there any other advice like a certain kind of mouth wash or so?
Congratulations on your amazing website, teaching method and plentitude of material! I'm a big fan and hope I can keep on studying the harp with your online guidance!
Best Regards,
Francis, Belgium.
Hello Francis. I'm glad you're enjoying your studies, and thank you for your kind words. I'm sorry to hear about your sores. The best tip I can give you is to use an extremely light touch with your lips (and tongue) on the face of the harmonica. This will not only help you to play better, improve tone and increase speed, it will help with the sore. I hope this helps.
I would occasionally get mouth sores. I found that if I forgot to thoroughly wipe down the front after each use, and especially not cleaning it off with a wet towel and dry each week, the sores would develop. So please make sure to employ regular care. I hope this will help and you can enjoy playing this cool instrument.
BC
Thanks for your swift reply, David!
I've already started taking your advice and it feels good.
Thanks for your swift reply, David!
I've already started taking your advice and it feels good.
Thanks for the tip, BC!
I'll make it a habit as well.
Great
Most likely you're pushing your lips too hard onto the harmonica (and maybe the tongue as well). Make sure you use a very light touch, just enough to not allow air to escape... you're lips are just a gasket. I remember when first learning the chromatic that the wide embouchure and the more-than-normal amount of practice made my outer corners of my mouth tender as well... it went away for me after about a week. If you're using a smooth comb, like a Hohner Special 20 or Crossover Marine Band than you're good... if you're using the standard Marine Band then those can cut you up (sharp corners on the tines of the comb). Glad to have you on the site. Best wishes on your studies.