Draw duration
I am interested to know what an average maximum draw duration is that harp players can execute. I am working on LOA 3 and the Accompaniment song that has a challenging segment. Blues creeping over me, the harp solo verse starts with 4’ then 4------ 4’ 4------ 4’ 4-------- 3 3’ 2----- Timing the MP3 the first two bars is 10 seconds, then it goes into 3 3’ 2---. Now I can do the C harp for 12 seconds but the A harp for just 10 seconds. The problem is that by the time I have picked myself up off the floor I have missed the next two bars of the jam. Now I have included exercises into my daily practice to try to extend my draw duration and technique with the hope that improves. What is the “average” duration for most students? I expect that experienced players have been able to improve both techniques and physical capability to manage longer draws than beginners. I also expect that younger player will have greater capacity. Ryan what is your duration I wonder. BTW I forgot to mention I am a non smoker and 74 this July so I would be interested to hear from older players. I will get there but wanted to establish a baseline. Remember an A harp with three bends on the 4 reed. Let us know length of draw, advanced or beginner and it you are OK with it age range.
Winslow many thanks for taking the time to responde. I take heart that you would be an exception. I have a feeling there won't be many if any challenging that. I really would like to hear from other respondents, students. Winslow I appreciate the suggestion and ideas for exercising improvements. BTW I am not a couch potato as I swim 660 meters most days To help with my overall fitness and breathing. Clearly I have room for improvement.
Hi John, I'm 54 and a smoker but I can hold a steady 4 draw on an A harp for about 28 seconds before it starts to waver a bit. Still a long way off Winslow though.
Hi alpur thanks for the response. Well you are doing pretty well I think but Winslow I think is in a class above as you say. Well I am going to keep working at it Thanks.
Ha just come across Davids video on this subject, very helpful. I had suspected that loss of air either via my nose or ineffective seal on the harp was contributing. So with that in mind I tried a few things. First on the inhale I held my nose. Wow 35 seconds. OK that was a part of the problem so with practice I am now doing 30 sec without holding my nose. Exhale was never a problem but that I can get to 40 second and possible more if I really push it.
The problem arises when I am also applying a bend. That seems to results in loss via the nose or seal on the harp. So I will continue to practice.
I can hold for almost a whole chorus on a mid-paced or faster song. It's fun to sometimes hold a note like that and try to keep it until you hit the V chord.
Thanks Justin that doesn't make me feel any better :) I am making progress. I have managed 50 second a on a standing start draw. All about managing inhale leakage, and practice. The problem is in applying a bend, or three in this case. Got a long way to go. I just hope it doesn't put an end to my LOA.
Sounds like you rose to the challenge, John - good on ya!
Wondering about the leakage while bending.
Nose leakage
The nose is not the place to stop nasal leakage. Instead, do it with your soft palate - the flexible part that extends back from the roof of your mouth. To do this, first try it without a harmonica, like this:
- Close your mouth so that your lips won't let air escape.
- Imagine you're going to blow up a balloon.
- Blow out as if blowing up the balloon. Your cheeks should puff out because the air can't escape.
- Now try to inhale. Your cheeks should suck in.
If you can do that, you can seal off your nasal passages while playing harmonica.
Lip leakage
If you're experiencing lip leakage, there are two likely causes:
- Changing your lip formation, perhaps unconsciously modeling the vowel change that you hear when bending a note.
- Having latent leakage that comes into play when you start moving a higher volume of air during bending.
In both cases, you could work on three things:
- Creating an airtight seal without lip pressure.
- Not changing your lip configuration when bending.
- Bending without increasing airflow or air pressure
Winslow again many thanks. That gives me something to work on, greatly appreciated. Lip leakage seems to be my problem associated with increased airflow with the bend. I have been working on managing the impulse to create the bend by dramatically increasing airflow. Working on a controlled bend.
I'm 63 and I can hold Draw 4 on a C harp for about 50 seconds, comfortably for a bit past 40.
The lower numbered holes have longer reeds, which flap more air, while lower-pitched harps have more weight on the reeds, which can take more air to budge them.
If you're playing long notes with occasional short blow notes between them, you can:
Things you might look at to enable use of your full lung capacity: