Tongue blocking embouchure depth
Mon, 08/08/2011 - 16:11
Watching videos of harpists with amazing tone like Big Walter Horton, James Cotton or Rick Estrin, it seems that their embouchure is not very deep. In fact Estrin takes the harmonica in a way that his index finger is just in the middle of the harmonica plate leaving a little space for the lips.
What is the correct tongue blocking embouchure depth?
Nice question. When Rick is playing with more of a Rice Miller perspective (that tends to be his style most of the time) he places less harp in his mouth, that's a signature sound of Miller... embracing more of the natural brassiness of the harp. When playing Little Walter style it's generally better to place more harp in your mouth... it all depends on how dark you want your tone to be. It more has to do with what happens behind your lips, that your embouchure is large enough so that your speaker/tone cabinet can produce a nice tone. Generally speaking most people do not have enough depth of tone, so having the harp deeper in the mouth is preferable... of course making sure your embouchure is open.