10 draw problem in the Rollin’ Rhumba
Hi David,
I study Rollin' Rhumba (Version 1) for a couple of months and I already can play it good enough except the first 10 draw in the 8th measure of the 5th chorus. When I hit it, it just hisses at first. You can listen to the record here: https://soundcloud.com/user-722673454/hissing-10-draw-in-the-sequence-8-9-10
Strange is that it happens to me only in this particular sequence of 8 9 10. I can play the single 10 draw on the same harmonica and I can even play the upper octave major scale (7+ 8 8+ 9 9+ 10 10+) up and down most of the time without hissing at 10 draw.
Would you recommend, how should I practice to overcome this problem?
Thank you very much
Marek
Thank you David. I've tried to start with 10 draw, but then when I slide down to 9 draw keeping the same embouchure, 9 draw is hissing. Apparently these two holes need a bit different embouchure to sound correctly. So am I supposed to change my embouchure a little bit between holes 9 and 10?
Each reed is tuned to a particular pitch. You're unintentionally tuning your mouth to a pitch that is good for one reed and not the other. Most likely it's because you're humping your tongue. Take the harmonica out of your mouth and look into a mirror. If the middle or back of your tongue is humped up, you'll need to lower your tongue to get those reeds to sound. Having the tongue lowered will allow both reeds to sound. Also experiment with "EE." This tongue placement, though not as deep in tone, may fix it as well. The good thing is that the high end doesn't need a large cavity, so EE will be just fine if it works for you.
Thank you David. I work on it and it's getting better.
Great
Hello Marek. It's your embouchure position after playing those draw notes. Play the 10 draw first, since you have no issue with this, and note your exact mouth, tongue, and jaw position. Then play 8, 9, and then 10 and see if this helps... it should. If you're being really perfect about embouchure position, and it still happens, some reed work may be warranted.