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Should I worry About Other Embouchures?

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Mon, 01/02/2017 - 07:32
shermancox2
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Joined: 12/19/2016

OK...I was playing about a month before I found BluesHarmonica.Com.  I had a pucker-like embouchure to get single notes. 

But then when I joined BluesHarmonica.Com I started practicing the tongue block. Now for about two months. At first I practiced both, but now do exclusive tongue block...

Today, I tried to do my previous embouchure and had totally forgotten how to do it....my quesiton...should I be trying to keep both embouchures or just totally go 100% tongue block?

thanks...

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Mon, 01/02/2017 - 11:07
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Expert Winslow Yerxa
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Joined: 01/16/2010
Do what works

Tongue blocking will do 95% of what you want to do with the harmonica.

I have found only one thing I can't do with a tongue block: rapid repeated notes. Like if you say, "diddle-iddle-iddle-iddle-idle" really fast - Junior Wells sometimes used this technique, and it occurs often in fiddle tunes. This can only be done with the tip of the tongue free to impact the roof of the mouth.

I also find overblows and high blow bends easier with a pucker, but they are cretinaly possible with a tongue block.

Consider the enormous riches of the techniques and effects that tongue blocking enables, and don't worry if you've forgotten how to pucker. That said, there's nothing wrong with having more than one embouchure at your disposal.)

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