Re: [Harp-L] Re: Chromatic Harmonica Chords




On Aug 5, 2007, at 2:55 PM, Cheechmail@xxxxxxx wrote:


I have been playing chromatic harmonica for a number of years. I like the
semi classical numbers like , Malaguana,Rhumanian Rhapsody, etc.
I have always used the tongue lying on the left mouthpiece, covering notes
so that I play the single note on the right. When I play chords, I usually keep
my tongue in the middle and play the chord on the left as well as the chord
on the right. Lately I seem to get a better sound by just playing the chord
on the right without the tongue resting on the harmonica.
I do not know if this makes sense, but does anyone have any advice as to
which is the better way to play a group of notes?
Wow! You must get a very full sound on chords. What you're doing with your tongue for single notes is called "Right Tongue Block." It never occurred to me until this very moment that "Right" refers to where the hole is that you're playing. It's a teeny bit counterintuitive.

Anyway, playing the chord to the right seems like the logical thing to do, seeing as you're already there. I still tongue block some of the left-side holes, depending on how much of the chord I want to sound.

About the only time I play out of the left corner of my mouth is when I'm playing octaves; and then I do as you started out. I play out of both corners of my mouth to get just the two notes. If I were more skilled on the left, I could Corner Switch for wider leaps, and avoid moving the harmonica around so much.

Really, anything you do that sounds good is legit, IMO, as long as it doesn't require standing on your head (so to speak).

I hope this helps.

Tom





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