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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Bending - Tongue blocking vs Puckering

5 replies [Last post]
Fri, 08/21/2020 - 10:40
prsnrs
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Joined: 08/05/2020

HI David,

 

I've just started studying the harmonica and strangely, I could do two manuevers almost naturally - tongue blocking & pucker bending. I've watched your lessons on tongue block bending and just can't get it to work. If I switch to the pucker, bending on draw notes, though not consistently accurate, is relatively easy. I can't yet overblow on 8, 9 or 10 holes. 

I've tried the Shhh, Kee and Koo, but my tongue just seems to get in the way. Any other hints short of a glossectomy?

Thanks.

prsnrs

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Fri, 08/21/2020 - 10:44
#1
David Barrett
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Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello prsnrs. Keep

Hello prsnrs. Keep experimenting on the tongue block bending, you will get it. If you haven't already read and watched the MRI study, you might find it helpful to see the tongue in action. The key with tongue block bending is the wave-like motion of the tongue that I mention.

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Tue, 11/10/2020 - 16:04
#2
matrobin
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Bending- Tongue block vs. pucker

David,

i had an awful time with this.  I’m pretty stubborn and persistent.  But I was stymied. I finally decided to take a 4 month break from your material because I couldn’t for the life of me produce a bend in the tongue block embochure,  even though your material made really good sense to me.  However, like the original poster, I found bending with the pucker embouchure relatively simple. So my solution, whether it’s right or wrong I don’t know, was to succumb to the pucker embouchure and learn to bend really well that way. The idea, then, was to come back to tongue block bending once I felt a reasonable proficiency in bending with the pucker embouchure. And it has helped a lot actually. I’m now returning to your materials, and find that I can produce several good tongue block bends fairly easily.  I’m encouraged. And I think now I will make good progress in tongue block bending. 

 I would enjoy hearing your thoughts on my approach. 

Matt

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Tue, 11/10/2020 - 17:44
#3
David Barrett
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Fantastic Matt, thank you for

Fantastic Matt, thank you for sharing... I'm glad that it helped you. I will keep this in mind for future students.

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Mon, 11/30/2020 - 12:51
#4
dcollette2
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Joined: 11/19/2020
Basic issues on the Draw and tongue blocking

David,  I've only been playing the harmonica for  a couple weeks with your lessons.  Having trouble getting a seal on the draw, especially on tongue blocking.  Any tips or just keep trial and error. Please advise.

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Mon, 11/30/2020 - 13:27
#5
David Barrett
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Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello dcollette2, welcome to

Hello dcollette2, welcome to the harmonica and the site. Yeah, it's just time/reps. It's not your seal, it's your tongue in the middle/back that's raised, causing the reed to not want to sound normally (basically it's trying to bend the note). Take a look at the first video on this page https://www.bluesharmonica.com/faq This is a common issue, it will get better with time.

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  • Tongue Blocking Study 2 – This study is for the newer player or the player new to tongue blocking
  • Bending Study 5 – This is for the advanced player looking to improve their bending skills

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