Chord Articulation (Lesson 2)

Here are the common ways in which to articulate a chord on the harmonica. Keep in mind that these articulations are not embouchure-specific. In other words, these are articulations that both pucker and tongue block players can use when playing a chord, such as draw or blow holes 1 2 3 (as seen in Ex. 1.2 of Solo Harmonica Study 1 on the site).

1) HA - Not a true articulation (you have to close off the airstream momentarily to be a articulation), but is one way in which we create differentiation between a stream of similar pitches (think Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha....)

2) TA - This is the most common articulation for pucker players (tongue block players will not use this due to the fact that when they tongue block the tip of the tongue is not available for articulation in this fashion, but remember we're talking about a chord here, not a single note or octave... so we do use it).

3) KA - Great for all embouchure players and is the go-to articulation for tongue blockers.

4) Throat - Same as the muscles we use for the tremolo (vocal folds). This is the most common articulation for all embouchure players for blow single-notes and blow chords (though TA, KA and Pull are all really nice for chords when trying to achieve some "snap" in their chords).

5) Pull - Tongue covers all holes and plucks off for the articulation... commonly used by tongue blockers (see Tongue Block Study 3)