Tongue Block Help
Mon, 12/04/2023 - 21:27
Hey! I've been a U-block player and I'm learing tongue blocking. I'm having difficulty with the first 3 holes with singling them out. With the first hole in perticular, do I put my tongue to the right and blow out the left, If so when and how do I smoothly transition to playing out the right? Or with the first hole Do Ijust have my tongue far left resting on the wood?
Also I've found my tongue block tone isn't as punchy as my U-block tone. Any tips to having a better tone?
Thanks in advance!
Hello Tehan.
You'll find my instruction on this here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/tongue_blocking_1 in Section 2, with the video titled "Chorus 2 - “Walk with Me” Study Song"
Most players will either switch their tongue to the right (as you stated) or remove their tongue for hole 1 (puckering). For the tongue switch, it's just about reps... no special technique. Do keep a light touch with your tongue on the face of the harmonica and don't have your tongue too angled (not beyond 1 o'clock for hole 1 and not beyond 11 o'clock for holes 2 and upwards). A heavy touch or too much of an angle will make the switch harder than it needs to be.
Your tone will develop over time... I wouldn't compare them right now... within months you won't be able to tell the difference in embouchures.
Keep at it, it's just all about reps Tehan.