Hole n.1 (really the 5th hole) on a 16-hole chromatic harmonica
Sun, 01/27/2013 - 02:03
Hi David,
Do you usually pucker or tongue block hole n.1 (really the 5th hole) on a 16-hole chromatic harmonica?
I tongue block it but.. how about the George Smith's lick on the 6th chorus of "No Sweat" (5 draw- 1 draw)? I tried to tongue switch like I would do on the diatonic.. didn't work. I'm getting it keeping the tongue on the left side of my mouth (regular tongue blocking) but I'm not sure this is the best option.
What do you recommend (generally and on that specific movement)?
Thank you
Flavio
On that recording I use a 12-hole chromatic, so the 1 is the lowest hole on that chromatic (I know you understand this, but just want to be ultra clear). In this case, there is not much room to the left to tongue block. Tongue switching is the way most of my students play that. You could pucker it if you wish, though tongue switching is a little bit faster.
On the 16-hole... 5th actual hole on the chromatic... most of the time you will standard tongue block to the left. For THIS lick, tongue switching also makes sense due to the jump.
In the end, it doesn't matter since we're not slapping the 1, but must students would tongue switch.