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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

How to combine tongue blocking and slapping with bending notes?

1 reply [Last post]
Sat, 02/16/2019 - 04:47
Ed de Groot
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Joined: 01/30/2019

Hello David, My name is Ed de Groot and I live in Holland (The Netherlands) I am studying for 1,5 year now and Thomas Toussaint advised me to join your study program. Thomas is my very example because he has a great band in Holland and playes terrific Mondharmonica.

https://www.thomastoussaint.com/

I'm studying the tongue blockings, slaps and so on, but with this technique I do not manage to bend the notes anymore because I have my mouth on a different way on the Harmonica, and my tongue is (partially) out of my mouth.

Do you have a lesson where you show how to combine this?

Thanks for now!

Ed de Groot

 

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Sat, 02/16/2019 - 08:54
#1
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello Ed de Groot, good to

Hello Ed de Groot, good to have you on the site (and hello to Thomas, he's a great player). There's a lesson focused on this, and it is here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/bending_study_level_1

The focus for you is the humping of the tongue. Focus on which part of the tongue humps up. The higher the bend (like a 6 draw), the more of the front of the tongue will hump, forward in the mouth. Mid bends (like the 4 draw) are more of the middle of the tongue in the middle of the mouth. Deep bends are more in the back of the mouth, using the back of the tongue. Pay particular attention to the "wave," as I teach it in the lesson.

Best of luck with it. It will take time and experimenting, but you WILL get it.

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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

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