Bending LOA 2 & 3: tongue blocking only or pucker allowed as well...?
Hi David,
Thanks for the great lessons. I'm reviewing the Bending Study 2 study song at the moment, though I follow higher levels as well but I want to get back to the good basics in terms bending.
I was a modest pucker player. Then, I found your method and practiced hard to switch to tongue blocking according to your advice. Not easy but indeed, very important and opens a range of possibilities.
However, on the bending and on this song in particular, I find it much easier to produce a good sound and bend more or less ok by puckering. I mean for example switching between single notes on holes 1 2 bend 2 etc, even bend 4. It's still possible to switch to tongue blocking from time to time to play two notes, chords, or even single higher notes.
In a nutshell, my question is: is this a good approach and can I go on kind of playing pucker again mostly for bends, but using the tongue blocking techniques for the rest? Or should I really bite the bullet and struggle to achieve good bends whilst tongue blocking only?
I hope you see what I mean and can guide me in the good direction now as I want to make sure that I don't do it wrong nor waste precious time, since both bending techniques are a bit different and require practice.
Many thanks in advance and keep up the spirit!
Greg.
Evening Greg. You certainly can use a mixed embouchure. The fact that you are practicing your tongue block bends (and will continue to do so) you can make the decision of where and when you feel it makes sense. Generally speaking, you'll pucker holes 1 through 3, switching to TB for holes 4 and above. If you have a passage that has a lot of bends, stay in a pucker. If you have a passage that uses a lot of tongue blocking techniques (like slaps and pulls), they tongue block (like bass lines that start on hole 2). So, yes, go for a mixed embouchure, but keep working on your TB bends, there will some passages you will not be able to play down the road (your advancement will be hindered) if you don't keep that on your plate.