What's the deal with the 2 draw?
Fri, 10/06/2023 - 13:11
David,
I have a really hard time getting the 2 hole draw to sound on pitch without opening my nasal passage. Two questions here:
1. What's wrong with opening my nasal passage here? The pitch and tone sound better to me that way.
2. What's so special about the 2 hole? It doesn't matter what key or make of harp I try. It's always the 2 hole that gives me this problem.
Thanks,
Julian
Hello Julian. This is the most common issue that challenges harmonica players in their early years. Check out the first video on this page https://www.bluesharmonica.com/faq
1. If you open your nose, you'll run out of air VERY quickly. You also can't bend with the nose open.
2. It has to do with the resonant pitch of that reed and the tuning of your mouth (your resonant pitch). Without trying, your mouth at rest, or in the playing embouchure position, is tuned to a pitch that's offending that 2 draw reed. Check out the video to work on resolving this (it's a process of experimenting over time).