block

In Hob's latest lesson he plays the entire tongue block study song Temperature (focus on slaps) for me and I critique. I teach hob the bending technique of the dip and how to breathe through his nose as a pressure relief valve while playing the harmonica (as well as learning how to close the nose on inhale notes so that he doesn't fill up with air). He learns what the note layout is on the major diatonic harmonica and why the notes were ordered in the way they are. Finally we talk about the difference between 1st and 2nd Positions and we play common accompaniment lines in the 12 Bar Blues. continue reading...

In Beginning Student Hob Bosold's latest lesson he plays the Tongue Blocking Study 1 study song "Walk with Me" to the jam track, learns about the slap and lift technique in the study song "Temperature" and receives his LOA-L1 pin.

Anyone working on tongue blocking techniques will benefit from the use of the Tongue Block Trainer. I use the TBT in my lesson videos at BluesHarmonica.com so that students can see what I'm trying to get them to do. I also give the TBT to each of my private students at School of the Blues so that I can ensure that their tongue is doing the techniques properly. You can see more details about the TBT at the Filisko Store here: http://www.filiskostore.com/page/480389598

Center your tongue and move it ever-so-slightly back (away from the harmonica) so that you're only covering two holes with your tongue. Again, focus on the convex shape of your tongue, there’s no need to use the tip of your tongue if you use a light touch. continue reading...

An alternative to the Flutter Tongue is the Side Flutter, where your tongue moves side to side. I commonly see three ways this is approached...

1) The tongue moves side to side on the face of the harmonica. When the tongue is to the right, the low note sounds (D for example on the C Harmonica when performing a 1 draw/4 draw side flutter). When the tongue moves to the left, the high note sounds (4 draw in this case). With a light touch on the face of the harmonica and a relaxed tongue, the tongue moves side to side quickly, jumping between the two octave D's. continue reading...

Here are some key benefits of using a light touch with your tongue on the face of the harmonica...

1) Holes to the right or left (depending on which tongue block technique you're performing) will not unintentionally be blocked by your tongue squishing into the holes. continue reading...

When studying Little Walter's legendary blues harmonica instrumental "Roller Coaster," the key moment of discovery in being able to perform the song successfully was is using the lightest touch possible on the face of the harmonica (both the tongue and lips, but most importantly the tongue). This was key in being able to play at his speed and level of dexterity. Here are the negatives of pushing too hard when tongue blocking... continue reading...

Yesterday I stated that your lips should be surrounding four holes. The purpose of this is as follows, with the more important reasons listed first...

1) You can play an octave very quickly with slight adjustment of the tongue (to the center, blocking two holes).

2) Your slaps, pulls, flutters and other techniques where the tongue is off of the harmonica have a much bigger sound, due to there being four holes sounding when the tongue is off instead of three. continue reading...

Place your lips over a four-hole span, using a light touch on the face of the harmonica. Use the top of your tongue just past the tip (called the blade of the tongue) with a light enough touch that the convex shape of your tongue does not completely flatten on the face of the harmonica. Cover the left three holes with your tongue, leaving the right-most hole to sound a single note. Move the harmonica latterly—the focus is to generally move the harmonica, not the face or jaw.

Special Note for Lower Holes continue reading...

We need to take a quick break from the transcription series today for a fellow student in need of help with octaves. continue reading...