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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

SOLO SECTION QUESTION

1 reply [Last post]
Thu, 09/26/2013 - 16:58
jake.kelly
jake.kelly's picture
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Joined: 06/28/2013

I'm working on the Solo section of the "Levels of Achievement" level 1 study 1and my question is ....

with hole 1 and 2 .... Do I tongue block (with my tongue towards the right) ?
Do I pucker hole 1 and 2?
Do I put the harmonica down and cry?

Thanks

Jake

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Thu, 09/26/2013 - 19:45
#1
David Barrett
David Barrett's picture
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Answer

Hello Jake.

For LOA-L1, in the Solo Harmonica Study 1, the only time your tongue is on the harmonica (in other words, a single note is played in the tongue block embouchure), is for Example 1.7, here you play 2+ 3+ 2+ for bar 1 and 4+ 3 for bar 2. So for these examples your tongue stays on the harmonica, to the left. Notice before the 2+ in measure 1, you're playing 1 and 2 draw, so all you have to do is place your tongue over hole 1 to play the 2+... very efficient.

For "Walk With Me," your Tongue Blocking Study #1, it's up to you whether you tongue switch for hole 1 (where your tongue goes to the right) or pucker. For hole 2 you should tongue block, with your tongue to the left.

To make it clear, your tongue stays to the left for all tongue blocking from holes 2 through 10. The only time you'll commonly tongue switch is for hole 1, if you wish (you can pucker that... it's not a huge deal).

You'll get it, take your time.

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