General Discussion

I noticed Rick Estrin mentioned that he did not use overblows in his playing. In playing a song in C in 2nd position that required an Ab would you just go to the high end for the fourth in the progression, then back to the low end to get a required B for the fifth. Just wondered what approaches would be used to get around not using overblows.

David, could you give a brief list of the things you do tongue blocking verses when you normally pucker. I know at times I have heard "pucker for bends", while it seems that at other times it seems that everything is done tongue blocked. I think I recall you saying years ago that you did not use overblows - did I dream that.

I understand that we are practicing tongue switching but would it be wrong to just continue to tongue block out the left side and slide to the right for the 2 blow and then back to the left still Tb'ing out the left for the 1 draw again? I've been practicing the way you describe and can play it fine that way but just thinking for this passage that it would be less movement of the tongue.
Are there times when one might TB right and left besides only the 1 hole?

Thanks 528hemi

Hello Krister... your email is bouncing, so please write via the posts from now on. To answer your questions, I play it (some things are subtle). Best wishes on your studies!

"I'm working on Garys blues chorus 2. In bar 6 I can't hear you play 6+ twice. I'm I wrong or is the tab wrong?
Regards Krister (Great site!)"

Hello everybody I've been a lip blocker for awhile now. Started tongue blocking a couple months now and the tip of my tongue is sore. I have been trying to press lightly but it still pretty tender. Is part of the process or am I doing something wrong.

I just received today the complete set of David Barrett's gig saver guides. Flipping through them, I'm finding them very informative as a newbie in the art. The first three books help with learning harmonica and positional playing theory. They are: Essential Scales for the Diatonic Harmonica, Essential Quick Charts for the Diatonic Harmonica, and Essential Theory for the Diatonic Harmonica. The last three concern gigging and equipment. They are: Harmonica Microphones, First Harmonica Gig, and Harmonica Amplifiers. All of these books are actually booklets, just a few pages each. continue reading...

Okay, so I have this toy in my hands. It looks a lot like the toy I had when I was a kid. When I blow on it, it sounds just like I remember. The dog still runs under the couch (a new dog, that first dog is long since gone to the great milk bone in the sky). Sometimes, the wife runs under the couch with the dog (blow bend practice in particular). Everyone had one of these when I was little. It was great to skip down the street and blow a jaunty two-cord tune as you went. It was portable, you took it everywhere, and it worked great -- until you let Suzy look at it. continue reading...

First of all, bluesharmonica.com is an amazing site! I am thoroughly impressed!

As a beginner, I have chosen to work on the following with my practice time:
* Tongue Blocking Study 1 (Ex 1.1 - 1.3) - tongue blocking is totally new to me
* Walk With Me - Currently working in Choruses 1 - 4.
* Solo Harmonica Study 1 - Currently working in Ex. 1.1 - 1.6

I have watched the Joe Tartaglia lessons as well....extremely beneficial!

Any other beginners out there following a different pattern of learning? Any other suggestions? continue reading...

Looking at the thread views, it appears we've got quite a few folks just peekin' in and not postin'.

C'mon folks, jump in the pool!

I would be nice to see this as forum-central for everything harp related.

(besides, I could use the wisdom of you silverbacks out there)

Okay, I'm confused (a common state with me, so don't be alarmed). When I first started learning, I was puckering. Now it seems that tongue blocking is the way to go, so I'm learning to move away from puckering to that style. The problem is, now I'm confused about the other techniques. For example:

Bending - will I still perform bends in the pucker embouchure?

Shakes - will I (or should I) do shakes with the tongue blocking embouchure, or the pucker?

Are there any techniques that puckering is better for than tongue blocking?

Thanks, and...

HAPPY NEW YEAR!