New to Tongue blocking
I'm new here and I'm sure this has been asked many times . I've been a pucker player for about a year and can move around the harp playing single notes confidently.
I'm new to TB and am haviing trouble in a couple of areas.
I cant seem to get my mouth wide enough to cover 4 holes without putting the harp so deep in my mouth that there hardly any of it left to hold on to.
When I do get the 4 holes covered the draw notes seem very week and are most of the time bent.
I use Harpninja to help me with getting the correct notes.
Hi David thanks for the prompt reply.
The three hole embouchure is very easy for me, I can perform the C major scale in both direction quite fast and I'm able to play the first 8 bars of Walk With Me confidently.
I probably got ahead of my self and started trying to play the 2nd chorus from the score and trying to get the 1 draw with a 4 hole embouchure. Now that I've watched the 2nd chorus lesson I'm back on track.
Sorry for wasting your time.
That said I do find it frustrating going from being able to pucker play several tunes to TBing and basicly starting over again but I guess I just need to slow down a bit and follow your instructions.
I would like to congratulate you on your wonderful website it is exactly what I need, you will see me here for a very long time.
Thank you Bob, you're very kind. The ability to play single notes in a pucker is a skill set we need, and one you will use throughout your playing, so it was not wasted time. Now it's time to add tongue blocking to your skill set so that you can take advantage of the tongue block-only sounds. Enjoy your studies.
Can I be so bold to step inhere and ask a slightly related question, I did not want to start a whole new topic? I am just really beginning ( on a c for now as I was under the impression that was the best start..figures) I find the tongue blocking technique confusing , mostly because in the video;s you explain to have good Embrasure and keep the tongue down for a full note but then you also need the tongue up to block , and I am confused how those two mesh. Could you explain that ? Also I seem to me able to play single notes without the tongue technique is that fine as well or is the tongue technique too important to ignore?
thank you in advance.
Good morning Mcspooky and welcome to the site. You will want to use tongue blocking as your primary embouchure, there are many advantages to playing this way.
I'm sorry if any of my wording is confusing... here's another description for you. I recommend you also look at this lesson http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/tongue_blocking_study_25. Having the visual of the Tongue Block Trainer will probably answer most of your questions. Best wishes on your studies!
Standard Tongue Block
Place your lips over a four-hole span, using a light touch on the face of the harmonica. Use the top of your tongue just past the tip (called the blade of the tongue) with a light enough touch that the convex shape of the top of your tongue does not completely flatten on the face of the harmonica. Cover the left three holes with your tongue, leaving the right-most hole to sound a single note. Move the harmonica laterally—the focus is generally to move the harmonica, not your face or jaw.
thank you for the quick reply, I hope it is something I can achieve , in the very least see progression in enough within a reasonable timeframe to not be discouraged :) so far everything has been feeling pretty natural , which is why I asked for a better harp for fathersday (wish granted :) ) Not it is time to get more serious . thanks again
I'm newbie also to TB and I found looking at 2.5, my tongue does flatten automatically when I push the tip of my tongue on the underside of the harp.
Haven't really tried bending with TB. Thnk it is going to be very different to single hole puckering based on my feeble attempts to try it. One step at a time
I'm newbie also to TB and I found looking at 2.5, my tongue does flatten automatically when I push the tip of my tongue on the underside of the harp.
Haven't really tried bending with TB. Thnk it is going to be very different to single hole puckering based on my feeble attempts to try it. One step at a time
Good morning Bob. You'll find if you open your mouth and insert the harmonica (without any puckering-out motion of your lips) you'll easily achieve a three-hole size embouchure. You could always start with three holes (tongue blocking the two to the left) and then widen over to four holes as you start to work your octaves... this a valid option which I've used with my private students every now any again.
When the draw notes are bending it's because you either have too much tongue on the harmonica (squeezing the hole of the note you're trying to play), or more commonly your tongue is raised in the middle and/or back. Experiment with opening your mouth in front of a mirror, without a harmonica in it, and lower your tongue and visually confirm that it's doing it (most the time the player is not aware that though their tongue feels lowered that the back of the tongue is humped like a ski jump).
Lastly... light touch... the lips and tongue should have a very light touch on the harmonica.
Keep it up, you'll get it... the reward is all the cool tongue blocking sounds that great blues harmonica players use. Best wishes on your studies.