Tongue-Blocking - Block Two Holes or Three for Single Notes?
Hi David,
I just started the Levels of Achievement and have watched the first couple of instructional videos on Tongue-Blocking. In the videos you describe blocking holes 1 through 3 to play single note hole 4. But I noticed in your book “Building Harmonica Technique”, the chapter on tongue-blocking describes playing a single note using tongue-blocking as having your lips over three holes and blocking two of the holes with your tongue.
In your "Walk With Me" video are you blocking two holes or three? Does it just boil down to personal preference, or mouth- and tongue-size?
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Hi again, David. I hope you've had a great Labor Day weekend! I think I may have answered my own questions, at least in part. I've jumped into the "Tongue Block Single Notes" video and see right off the bat that you reiterate blocking three holes while playing the fourth. Your detailed description of the harmonica angle, and the side-view of your embouchure really cinched it for me. I was immediately able to play clear single notes by imitating everything you did. This is my 3rd day playing harmonica, and I'm loving it!
When responses are posted in the Forum, do they automatically generate email notifications, or do I have to return and search the Forum for my thread?
Kind Regards,
ChuiChui
Thanks, David. What you just instructed is exactly what I've been applying so far to "Walk With Me".
Kind Regards,
ChuiChui
Great!
why do we need an A harmonica for tongue blocking?
Hello inelegide. You don't need an A harmonica for tongue blocking, this is a technique used on all keys of harmonica. If you're speaking in regards to the beginning lessons, that's simply because the A harmonica is the most common harmonica used for blues.
Hello ChuiChui. Thank you for the Labor Day well-wishes... I had a great weekend, I hope yours was the same.
Your standard embouchure size will be to have your lips over four holes, blocking the three holes to the left. This is so your slaps, pulls and other chordal tongue blocking techniques you'll be learning soon have a nice full-sounding chord... and more importantly you can play an octave at any moment by simple moving your tongue (your lips do not need to move) slightly to the right.
When playing hole 2 your tongue will be blocking hole 1 and a little bit of the comb to the left. When playing hole 3 your tongue will block holes 2, 1 and a bit of the comb to the left (essentially four holes). From holes 4 and above you'll be over the standard four-hole embouchure size. Follow my directions on the lesson for hole 1.
To answer your last question, you will need to check back on the forum for my reply.
I hope these specifics are helpful.
Have a great week!