Harmonica lesson: Lip placement on the harmonica

[@skylarlovelace1653]

So helpful! The first 25 seconds were more helpful than most videos I've watched!

[@FilipJersMusic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@UJ00UJ]

Thank you so much 😊

[@MaestroAki]

Thank you so much for answering my question. It really makes a big difference!

[@FilipJersMusic]

Happy to help!

[@joephillips4082]

Always a good reminder, sometimes overlooked by me. I am a tongue blocker and I find improved accuracy with more of the mouthpiece in my mouth, chromatic or diatonic.. Oddly enough, this is especially true on the tremolo harmonica as well.

[@nudulgunu]

wow, thank you so much! i was playing wrong all this time. i will focus on fixing this

[@FilipJersMusic]

Thanks, happy to help! 🎶🎶

[@JeppeJazzHarmonica]

I always forget this when I’m focusing too much on the technical part (playing in current tempo, reading a new too or play with the band) … but I was not aware of the dry lips issue was caused by wrong placement of the lips

[@FilipJersMusic]

Yes, remember this, it smoothens up the playing!

[@rechmbrs]

Immaculate tone as usual. Really appreciate your showing both chromatic and diatonic. Doesn't lower jaw control the lower lip position? I'd like to hear more on how the tongue is related to the tone. Thanks so much. RONC 🌠🌠🌠🌠🌠🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶

[@FilipJersMusic]

Thanks! Yes the jaw should drop and move forward a little bit. But it should not feel strained. Good question on tongue and tone!

[@rechmbrs]

@@FilipJersMusic People with an overbite or who dip their heads when playing should also be aware of the jaw placement. This has a major affect on tone and breathing as well.

[@richardramey5943]

Any advice for people who dont have any teeth ? It creates a different air chamber. Harder to bend notes . Thanks !

[@picek444]

Thanks a lot for the insight! If I may ask: when you play overblows, do you still keep a lot of the instrument in your mouth or do you slide it outwards a bit?

[@FilipJersMusic]

No, it stays the same. It might move a millimeter in some direction but it is nothing I plan. I try to keep this position as my default.

[@picek444]

@@FilipJersMusic many thanks, this helps a lot!

[@sebastiannieto3842]

Hi! How are you able to play a specific note? I’m playing as you said but I hit two or three notes at the same time. Thanks :)

[@FilipJersMusic]

Try forming your lips like you are going to suck through a straw. Or like you are going to whistle.

[@sebastiannieto3842]

@@FilipJersMusic Amazing! Thanks for taking the time to answer my question.

[@skchopra840]

Very good sir

[@steve3150]

Cheers Filip

[@FilipJersMusic]

🎶🌞🎶

[@Raj-ym4cu]

Will try to consciously maintain this deep position in the mouth and see if it helps my (severely) sticking lips problem. I dont want to use lube. I want a natural fix.

[@FilipJersMusic]

Yes avoid lub as much as possible. Just play every day and hopefully the body will adjust.

[@geraldinemary7586]

So the air is blown into both upper n lower rows of notes( holes).?

[@FilipJersMusic]

Yes!

[@NiK_2049]

Thank you so much. I thought if I get saliva on it, its not correct way. Now I can slid like ease

[@FilipJersMusic]

Happy to help!

[@teliph3U]

How often does your beard get caught in the harmonica covers?

[@FilipJersMusic]

Not often at all. Keep the mustacshe at 11 mm and trim often.

[@hoogreg]

When it's time to trim...

[@teliph3U]

@@hoogreg I just have this usual look where I shave once a week, mostly out of laziness. And some of the covers have some nasty parts where beard hair is easily caught, ripping it right off. They are literally the perfect shape to catch hair. I even managed to hurt my tongue there twice.