Re: [Harp-L] 2 draw woes

[IcemanLE@xxxxxxx]

This is a common problem amongst beginners. What is amusing is that at first 
you have to teach them how to "not bend" on the inhale and later work on how 
"to bend".

Problem stems from "sucking" the air rather than breathing the harmonica on 
the inhale.

Have the student take a drink of water from a glass. Make them aware of the 
approach used in drinking. You don't stop the glass of water six inches away 
from the mouth as you stare at it approaching and then start to pucker forward 
with your lips to grip the glass. You don't "slurp" the water down by sucking 
it in. You don't even tense the lips or the water will drip all down the sides 
of your mouth.

Drinking water is a no brainer. No thought goes into it. All motions are 
natural.

As you drink water, so shall you play harmonica is what I tell my students. 
Keep going back to the sip of water alternated with working on this harmonica 
challenge and encourage the student to do this during practice time. 

Overthinking and overworking at the 2 draw will exacerbate the problem.

Inhaling comes from the diaphragm, so put the focus there and away from the 
mouth. The mouth should be relaxed - not pursed lips, but the same as when 
drinking water from a glass. The tongue should not be engaged - no tension. Result 
is that it lays flat in the mouth. By pushing it flat in the mouth, you 
engage musculature. By doing nothing with it, it will relax on its own. However, it 
isn't easy for the beginner to grasp this concept. Mostly they feel that they 
have to be "doing something" when the reality is to "do nothing" and inhale. 
Energy level is similar to what is used in "humming".

Have them try it quietly with the suggestion "Shhhh, don't wake the baby". It 
is all about finesse, not force.

Alexander posted brilliantly about these concepts as well. His grasp of the 
concepts and explanations are miles ahead of most instructors. I also will use 
the "place the harmonica in the mouth and breathe through it with no hands" as 
orientation, then slowly move the harmonica forward until finding a single 
note - NO PURSING OF LIPS ALLOWED. Lips should rest over the cover plates with 
harmonica tipped up at 45 degree angle (hey, kinda like taking a drink of 
water). 

Most problems are solved once the student realizes the less is more concept - 
relax - hard to do when sitting in front of a TEACHER and trying hard to do 
it right, fighting personal frustration which builds up in energy in the body 
of the student. Lots of "time outs for a sip of water, breathing and yawning" 
are suggested. 

The Iceman