Lets Talk Tone - on harmonica!

In this lesson I wanted to talk about how and where the 'tone' comes from in your harmonica and playing taking into account different sources.
Time stamps:
0:00 Intro
0:16 Materials
3:44 Construction
5:07 Physiology
8:43 Attack, Decay & Sustain

I find tone to be a very personal journey. The quest for tone has the potential to give a player an
identity that is distinct and recognisable. Is tone a matter of taste? Lots of talk on harp tone forums about electric (amplified) tone and not much about acoustic tone. Good acoustic tone is important to being able to achieve a good electric tone.
Where does your tone come from?

The Harmonica Material:
• Comb: wood, plastic or metal
• Reeds: brass, phosphor bronze or stainless steel Composition:
• Is the harmonica well made/constructed?
• Is the harmonica airtight?
• Reed dimensions
• Does the harp have an open or closed back?

Physiology
• Stance - are you hunched over?
• Chest - do you have room to breathe?
• Throat - open and at a yawn
• Inside of mouth – tense or relaxed?
• Lips – good seal?
• Hands – open to let sound out, channelling the sound or closed to mute

Attack and Decay
• Breathing into or through the harmonica
• Annunciation: 'Tut', 'G' or 'Huh'
• Feel how the reed starts moving at the start of a note and then how it fades off at the end of a note
• Maintaining an even volume throughout the range harmonica

It's important, as with any technique, to record your progress and listen back to yourself objectively. Make a small adjustment to your technique, record and listen again. It's tough to listen to yourself and be honest but if you want to make real progress it's a great way to go about it!