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"Hold the harmonica and create a large airtight cup"-- Your goal in properly holding the harmonica, is to hold it in such a way, that you can create the largest and most airtight cup possible based on the size of your hands and then trap the sound within them. The larger and more airtight you can make this cup surrounding the back of the harmonica, the better the hand effects will be. Flutter the outside hand to create a 'tremolo effect'. Use this on long held notes of songs and riffs.
A large airtight cup- The secret to good hand effects is understanding what makes them, and when to use them. Your goal in properly holding the harmonica, is to hold it in such a way, that you can create the largest and most airtight cup possible based on the size of your hands and then trap the sound within them. The "larger and more airtight you can make this cup surrounding the back of the harmonica, the better the hand effects will be".
The volume of your sound changes- With your hands closed and sealed, you diminish the volume of your sound. When you open them, the volume increases. If you keep this in mind, you will find the following steps to properly holding the harmonica and creating hand effects make perfect sense.
The "tremolo" effect is a change of volume- We specifically hold the harmonica in a way so that we can change the sound of a note or chord by opening and closing our hands. The technique is commonly referred to as "Hand Tremolo" or "Hand Tremolo" (tremolo and tremolo are synonymous).
Used on long held notes- A tremolo effect creates a wavering sound that is usually applied to long held notes or long held chords (that usually occur at the ends of phrases). The perceived change that occurs is not a change of pitch (this is usually referred to as vibrato) but instead, it is a change of volume.
Trap the sound in your hands- You literally trap your loud note in the airtight cup you have created, and when you open your hands, you let the sound out. The sound is muted or softer when your hands are closed, and much louder when you open them.
Correct breathing is an important part of the tremolo effect- Part of the secret to making the hand tremolo effective is not only creating and maintaining a large airtight cup, but also playing the single note or chord loudly enough so that you can hear a change from loud to soft. If you play your notes too softly to begin with, you will hear little or no change when you open and close your right hand. The better your volume and breathing technique is, the better the tremolo sound.
From Mike Will’s Harmonica Reference http://www.angelfire.com/tx/myquill/
Holding the Harp
There is more than one way to hold the harmonica, but I'm only going to describe the most used, most basic style, which should work for nearly everyone, no matter what size hands you have. The objective is to be able to get an air tight cup or seal around the back of the harp.
Place the harp between your thumb and index finger on your left hand with the numbers up, low notes on the left. (Left handed players may want to reverse things, but I'd recommend trying it this way if you can.) Your fingers should be toward the back of the harp so they don't interfere with your mouth or lips. Line up the rest of the fingers on your left hand with your index finger.
Okay, saying it another way, take your left hand and hold all your fingers straight and together. Drop your thumb underneath. Put the harmonica between your thumb and index finger, holes facing you (duh!).
Now, the object of your right hand is to get a good air-tight seal at the back of your harp by cupping and sealing with your left hand.
Open your right hand fingers up and together, thumb out and pointing toward your face. Now bend your hand back at the wrist, tucking your elbow in and keeping your arm vertical. Bring the palm of your left and right hands together.
Remember, you are trying to make a tight cup at the back of the harp. You open and close the cup while you play for "wah" effects, and--an advanced technique--for increased volume using hand resonance. For amplified play, the most important factor is a tight hand cup around the harp and the microphone. This cannot be emphasized enough. You have to work at it and practice to develop a good seal, which is the basis for good amplified tone. It's better to have a good cup than a good mic or amp.
Hand sizes vary a lot, so I can't tell you exactly how to position everything. But I think it's safe to say the index finger on your right hand should be able to curl up over the end of the harp. You can play with the fingers of your right hand either open and straight out, or curled up around your left hand and the harp.
Another Way to Get There
Hold your hand together open, palms and fingers together--like you are praying. Slip the harp between the thumb and index finger of your left hand (you have to take your right hand away for a second) and put your hands back together. If your fingers are lined up on both hands, you can see you are not getting a cup at the back of the harp. Slide your left hand down until you get a comfortable cup. The palms should be about even at back, your right palm slightly inside the little finger side of your left palm. Curl the fingers of your right hand.. they should be able to wrap the end of the harp and overlap the fingers of your left hand. Hold the harp horizontal by bending your right hand backwards, pushing your right palm up a bit, and tucking in your elbow.
Holding the harp is a personal thing, and comfort is an important ingredient. Just make sure you can get a good air tight cup and you'll be fine, however you hold it.
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