Unwanted delay transitioning from 3 draw to 3 blow
Howdy folks!
I bought my first harmonica (Hohner Special 20 in A) last month and became a member of this site.I'm working on level 1 of the Levels of Achievement lessons. More specific, the "Walk with me" tongue blocking song/excercise.I noticed that when I play a 3 blow after a 3 draw the note doesn't sound immediately but there's some kind of delay.
It almost feels likes the air has to build up some pressure before the reed starts vibrating...
Holes 2 and 3 are the hardest to play for me. I'm probably doing something wrong here.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Thanks!
Welcome to the wonderful world of harmonica! You're starting a great lifetime journey. And you've started at just the right place.
I strongly suggest that you post this same questions on David's "Ask Instructor David Barrett" thread here on the Forum. He'll get back to you with a comprehensive answwer, and may even suggest that you send him a recorded example for listenting to and analyzing.
You're already learning that it isn't the harp that's the instrument. It's your mouth, throat, lips, etc. The harp just channels you. It's possible that the delay is the result of your mouth shape after you draw the 3. If the same sort of thing happens when you start on a 3 blow, it's possible that even with Hohner's great quality control these days, for your style of playing the 3 blow reed has a gapping issue. If that turns out to be the case, you can do no better than to go to Kinya Pollard's thread here and ask him about correcting that.
Finally, there are reasons that in certain instances great players used the 3 blow instead of the 2 draw, especially when breathing was critical for what they wanted the audience to hear. So John S makes a good point about being able to use the 2 draw in lieu of the 3 blow, don't give up on learning the technique. It may come in handy some day.
Enjoy!
Ukulelel Rob plays Hohner™ harmonicas customized by Kinya Pollard, The Harpsmith™
Whilst I am a strong advocate for tongue blocking another short term option would be to use the 2draw. So go from 3 draw to 2 draw. C harp 3 blow G 2 draw G. .