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From: JfGindi~ol.com
Date: Thu, 5 Sep 1996 12:17:45 -0400
Subject: Re: Bad harp .... coincidence??

John Sawyer writes, " The 2 draw should sound just fine. Bending may be
problematic for a newbie, but a straight draw note should sound with no
problem. I've yet to buy a harp in C or any other key that exhibits the
symptoms Todd describes."

My experience is that about 1/3rd of all beginners have a hard time with 2
draw on the C harp. It sounds and feels blocked up. The harp player draws
harder, the note seems more stuck.
It is NOT the harp, although it can become the harp as the frustrated player
tries to force more air through the reed.
Many people call this a prebend, because what is happening is similar to what
happens when a note (or hole) bends. However, a bend is worthless if you
can't play the same hole unbent. So,
learn to play the two draw unbent, and then try to apply the prebend feeling
so you can bend later when you know what you're doing. Then you'll have two
notes: bent and unbent, which is the goal.

The answer to playing the holes unbent is in rethinking how you're making
that air come through. Some suggestions:
Cut the volume of air coming through the harp in half.
Push your harp UP towards your nose. When drawing, pull the air up into your
head.
Relax your lips.
Get quiet with your harp and draw in and out on the
2.
Involve your nose in the process, pulling a little air through your opened-up
nostrils as you draw. Control the air. as you draw for 10 second at a time,
then blow 10 seconds. Then draw. Back and forth, light and easy. It'll come.


Good luck! Jon