Skip to main content
Blues Harmonica logo

User Account

Username:*
Password:*
Forgot Your Password?

Visitor Menu

  • Sign Up
  • Sample Lesson #1
  • Sample Lesson #2
  • Student Recordings
  • Forums

folk

David's Tip of the Day: Tongue Blocking Tips - The Basic Tongue Block

Posted Wed, 04/08/2015 - 10:01 by David Barrett Admin
David Barrett Admin's picture

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...

  • tongue
  • ,
  • block
  • ,
  • harp
  • ,
  • harmonica
  • ,
  • tips
  • ,
  • blues
  • ,
  • folk
  • ,
  • trad

David's Tip of the Day: Top of the Tongue - Tip or Convex Blade?

Posted Wed, 02/05/2014 - 09:09 by David Barrett Admin
David Barrett Admin's picture

Your tongue blocks two holes in the center, leaving the left and right holes open when performing an octave (1+ C and 4+ C for example). You can either use the tip of your tongue to block those two holes or use the tip-top of the tongue (called the blade), by using an ultra-light touch so that the natural convex shape of the tongue doesn't flatten out and cover too many holes. Give this light touch a try and I'll discuss some other interesting advantages of this light touch technique tomorrow.

  • tongue
  • ,
  • blocking
  • ,
  • embouchure
  • ,
  • technique
  • ,
  • octave
  • ,
  • harp
  • ,
  • harmonica
  • ,
  • blues
  • ,
  • folk
  • ,
  • country

Sign me up!

Full access to all lessons starts at $20/month! (with annual subscription)

Subscribe

Free Sample Lessons

After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at BluesHarmonica.com.

  • 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

Contributors

  • Aki Kumar
  • Joe Tartaglia
  • Gary Smith
  • Mark Hummel
  • Joe Filisko

Site Links

  • About David Barrett
  • Accredited Instructors
  • Links
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
Hohner
© 2009 - 2025 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.comSyndicate content