Learned bad technique
Hi David,
I have wondered for a while why when I tongue block in order to play single notes, I sometimes also hear the note above the intended note. I started to work with a home-made tongue block trainer a few weeks ago, and to my horror found that my tongue is staying central in my mouth rather that to the left, but my mouth is wider at the right side which explains why I'm getting some of the unintended note. I wish I had used the tongue block trainer early on.
When I try to move my tongue to the left now in order to tongue block, it won't move because over the last 4 years, my embouchure has gone into 'muscle memory'. How can I correct this? It feels like I need to go back to basics which may hamper my progress,
Thanks for your help,
Mark.
Hi David,
Yes, your description is accurate. I just checked again using a mirror. When playing hole 4 for instance, my tongue is central in my mouth, it covers holes 1-3 and my mouth 'smirks' to the right.
Mark.
Okay, thanks Mark. I don't really see a problem with it. Your tongue is still left of the open hole, so all of your tongue block techniques work.
You may be right David but I have just checked in a mirror the position of my tongue using the TBT, with holes 1-4 blocked and my tongue is actually to the left of centre. When I tongue block holes 1-3 in order to play hole 4, my tongue is actually central in my mouth when it should be to the left. Not sure if I am overthinking this but I am wondering of it explains the 'bleed' I sometimes experience when tongue blocking say, holes 1-3, but playing hole 5 in addition to hole 4.
I hope this makes sense.
Mark.
I don't think so Mark. Your issue is the same as others...reps are needed to ensure you're aligned with the hole during normal play, and adjusting the opening at the right as needed to make sure the hole size is correct.
Thanks David. It appears that I don't have to do a million reps a day just to correct things :-)
Mark.
Hello Mark. To make sure I understand...your tongue stays straight and you're smirking a little bit to the right to get the single hole on your right? For example, to play 4 draw, your tongue covers holes 1-3 and your mouth is smirked to the right to get hole 4?