Solo Harmonica Study 1 - Tongue-Switing Holes 1 and 2
Hi David,
I'm working on Solo Harmonica 1. In doing Ex. 1.1, 1.3 and 1.3, in going between holes 1 and 2, I've run into a bit of a dilemma. Although it's easier for me to play those lip puckered, I'm trying to further develop my tongue-blocking technique by doing tongue-switching, i.e. switching my tongue from left to right to tongue-block said holes. Although I'm able to tongue-block hole 2 pretty well, the challenge for me is switching my tongue from left to right so as to tongue-block hole 1. So, I've decided to do the "winder-shield wiper" exercise where I'm tongue-switching back and forth between holes 1 and 2, so I can get comfortable with playing hole 1 tongue-blocked (without having the harmonica hanging out of the right side of the mouth, if you can picture the visual).
Your thoughts...
Dutch Martin
Sounds like a good plan. I would start with hole 3, then 1, then 3, then 1... tongue switching back and forth in front of a mirror, making sure NOTHING visibly moves (especially the jaw). This is a natural size for the mouth.
The 1 to 2 distance is a little smaller, and you'll need to have your mouth a little smaller. Though don't feel like you have to really "pucker" up... it's okay to move the harmonica, or face or jaw ever so slightly... I personally like to have my mouth a little larger (maybe 3 holes... poss 2.5 holes) and move my mouth, face, jaw a little bit to allow a larger embouchure... just minimize your movement as much as possible.