Technique Tip: Saliva

Excessive saliva in the harmonica (causing reeds to stall) is a common problem. Play with your head up (like a trumpet player projecting over a crowd)—this prevents gravity from assisting saliva to flow downwards into your harmonica. When reading music, place the music higher, to again ensure that your head is level. Tap the harmonica hard on your leg once or twice every now and again to dislodge saliva from the reeds.