Re: Newbie....sore lips
Posted by:
EarthDogHarpin
(107.203.62.---)
Date: January 02, 2015 07:17PM
Hello Ed, and welcome!
Your wife's got the right idea, but, rather than Vaseline, try a lip balm like Burt's Bees in between practice sessions. There's a variety to choose from and it helps. Like Pulp advised, keep your practice session relatively short at first (between 5 to 20 minutes) and then work your way up to a half hour of practice or more. Also, have a glass (or bottle) of water right next to you whenever you practice. Take a drink of water between songs and on the last "gulp", swish it around in your mouth before swallowing. (Seems to help me, anyway) This will help keep your mouth, and lips, moist. I've also seen some of the harmonica masters lick their harps before they start playing (or in the middle of a song during a break). This can help, too. AVOID SUGARY DRINKS WHILE PRACTICING AND PLAYING! Not only can they make your saliva (and everything else in your mouth) all sticky, but they can also gum up your harps (which is a bad thing).
Keep on practicing! Things will get easier. Just hang in there!