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
Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Forum search function

3 replies [Last post]
Mon, 10/01/2018 - 14:34
vid wes
vid wes's picture
Offline
Joined: 09/29/2017

HI David,

 Is there a search funtion for the forum?

 Thanks

Top
Tue, 10/02/2018 - 08:37
#1
David Barrett
David Barrett's picture
Offline
ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
There is not. We are getting

There is not. We are getting close to completion of BluesHarmonica.cm 2.0, and there will be a search function on the new rebuild.

Top
Sat, 10/06/2018 - 18:52
#2
Sawinski
Sawinski's picture
Offline
Joined: 10/05/2018
ex 1.1

Hello David,

Tongue blocking agility 1.1.  Watched the video.  When we move to the right on the harp for the 2+5+ octave then the 2+, do we play the 2 blow by moving the tongue to 1 o'clock or 11 o'clock?  If it is to one o'clock, is common to play lower holes with the left side of the mouth and higher holes with the right.  Or, is there one side that should dominate?

Thanks

Sawinski

 

Top
Mon, 10/08/2018 - 08:23
#3
David Barrett
David Barrett's picture
Offline
ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello Sawinski. Yes, "we play

Hello Sawinski. Yes, "we play the 2 blow by moving the tongue to 1 o'clock." Tongue switching is most commonly done for playing hole 1 (tongue blocking to the right, holes 2, 3, and 4). This is what I will train you for.

Some players (in the more advanced stages) will tongue switch on passages where they play some notes on one range, then switch for one or two lower notes, and then go back to the other range. This is not common, but you do hear it every now and again. Classical chromatic harmonica players have to play wide-interval leaps all the time, so that comes in handy for them.

My purpose of the exercise is for you to get used to tongue switching for hole 1, to help you build tongue agility, to promote a light touch with your tongue on the harmonica, to get you used to playing octaves (one of the three main tongue blocking techniques) and to realize that the tongue does not need to move very much to make a huge difference in sound.

P.S., to be clear... for every-day playing... you're going to have the tongue to the right for hole 1, and to the left for all other holes.

Top

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.com