Switching from C to A harmonica problems
I've been messing around on mostly C harmonicas. Just started lessons on this site and learning tongue blocking on the A harmonica. I seem to go through stages where I cannot get any notes correct; either strained or not at all. Can go back to my C harmoncia and play.I've tried dropping the tongue and holding the harp softly to my mouth\, breathing softly (and through the harp) and dropping the jaw and i still struggle.
Even when I pucker on the 5 draw hole it comes out very strained.
Sometimes maybe when i am tired or had a beer!
How come I can do the scale up and down for single notes on the C harmonica easily. But on the A, when I get to the 5 draw I cannot get a note!! Very frustrating. Cannot see why. I have notice going between different harps can take a little while to get it right using pucker method.
Your 2.5 lesson on TB is very good. i made my own trainer. So much faster for understanding . Also your bit on lowering the tongue. I found that pushing out my tongue slightly against my lips with the tip down, helps the tongue flatting out; looking into the mirror.
Hello tombstarship. I'm not sure why you would have this issue with your 5 draw. The 5 draw is the note D, which is the same note as your 4 draw on your C Harmonica. If you're having no problem with the 4 draw in your C harmonica, then maybe there's something in the 5 draw reed, maybe a food particle or facial hair. The good thing is that when taking off your coverplates, your 5 draw reed can be seen without taking the reed plates off. Take a close look at that reed and see of there's something in there.
Found out that both of my A harps had a problem!
Watched a couple of videos and fixed one harp and broke the el-cheapo one by cleaning and using a piece of paper and piece of bamboo skewer to make the holes easier to play!! I always immediately think it is me!!
Back to my TB Study 1 now!
Your site has so much info. A better search engine on your forum would be nice
Glad to hear you figured it out. I agree, it's a good idea to point to oneself first, before our trusty instrument... in most cases it is something in our technique.
You're on the right path to focus on all of those elements... it's just going to be time now. Make sure to check your tongue position (middle and back) in a mirror (without the harmonica in your mouth of course), most of the time the player thinks they're lowering their tongue and they're not... the tongue IS the key to getting rid of these unintended bending problems. Keep at it, you WILL get it.