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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

lip blocking?

1 reply [Last post]
Wed, 02/10/2010 - 08:15
bob freeze
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Joined: 01/03/2010

David, do you consider lip blocking the same thing as lip pursing. Up to this point I have always played (some tongue blocking when needed) with the harp very deep in my mouth with my lower lip blocking out all but the hole I wanted to play. This opened my cavity up and helped develop much better tone than a tight pursing of the lips. I thought I remembered that in some of your earlier materials you viewed this as a different technique than pursing. It seemed to also make bending much easier with more room to change the position of the tongue and then allowed for a quick move to tongue blocking.
I have to add that I have used your materials before (both printed and video) and have also taken some internet direct lessons from Dennis Gruenling. Dennis is a great player and wonderful instructor, but I found it very difficult to commit to an exact schedule. David, your approach is going to work. I'm not sure how you are going to be able to keep up the direct involvement on the level I have seen (truly amazing), but thank you so much for such tremendous support.

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Wed, 02/10/2010 - 09:15
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David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Answer

What you're speaking of are both "pucker," a generic term. What you're using is a great way to get a bigger tone, and yes, a great transition between pucker and TB as you're playing. This will give you a great pucker tone. Keep what you're doing... adding TB little by little to give you more texture options. Thanks for your kind words and glad to have you one the site!

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