Slidemeister (Chromatic & related only - no Diatonic discussion) > Chromatic Playing Techniques

The Elbow Plant

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jazmaan:
As you may see in the next harp-l digest,  I've been criticized (again) for planting my elbows and moving my head instead of my hands when I play.   As I explained there,  I feel I get more accuracy that way when leaping around the harp.  If I use only my hands,  I tend to overshoot or undershoot distant holes,  especially with the LeGato layout's six hole octave-to-octave geography.   

But I realize its a crutch I won't always have access to.  What should I do instead?   I've tried locking my arms to the sides of my body instead, but the results aren't too good.   I know Bonfiglio advocates a kind of arc motion with the harp, but I haven't mastered that.  (He also advocates pushing the harp into the button instead of vice-versa, but again that's not something I've been able to master.) 

How do you all do it?

Gnarly He Man:
Yeah, I saw that--and he tried to be nice about it, and you did ask for comments.
I would just say, do what works for you. It's certainly a labor of love, and you are getting good results.
I played around with my 14 hole Fourkey today, little bit at a time, it's coming.
And I just put solder on Whistleman's new Seydel Bb Fourkey, lowered the top few holes to finish the tuning.
What are you going to do when you play it onstage? Texas, one assumes . . .
Oh, and based on my accuracy, we don't need to worry about what I do . . .

Grizzly:
There are proponents of moving the harmonica while keeping the head steady (one might say rigid). I convinced myself that I was doing that until I looked in a mirror. I move my head as much as the harmonica, and seldom have problems with accuracy—usually only when I'm thinking about it.

I've seen too many players of other instruments move around when they play to worry about a "correct" technique. In a sense, no habit is bad as long as it doesn't get in the way. Any posture that is stressful would need to be examined, though.

As far as pushing the harmonica into the button, that technique has its uses, but not in every situation, IMO. Certainly, a button change combined with a hole change would benefit from moving the harmonica instead. Otherwise, no.

Sounds like you've analyzed what works best for you. That's good.

Tom

HallelujahAL:
Jazman you have a method that, to my eys & ears, works very effectively for you. So I wouldn't bother about what anyone else says personally. There is no correct technique except what works for you. It may, however, be good that you're thinking about this matter right now. Do you find you sway in the upper body at all when playing? I do, so am focusing on bringing in my elbows tight to the sides so I don't look like I'm trying to take off!  ;D
AL

Bluesy:
David:
Here's a link to Wim Dijkgraaf's earliest technique videos which present techniques on how to move around on the harp by moving the harp and not yourself. I still practice them for learning big jumps in learning a tune.
I don't know whether you've seen them, whether you're interested, or whether you want to change your already settled technique (remember me on your Seydel?!), but I'm submitting them here in case you want to take a look.
If they won't show up, become a member. Takes 30 seconds.
Best,
Tom/

http://www.jazzharmonica.org/learn-how-to-play-improvise-jazz-harmonica/2011/03/12/harmonica-lessons-movement/

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