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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Tongue blocking holes one and two

1 reply [Last post]
Mon, 02/14/2022 - 22:39
TylerWyler
TylerWyler's picture
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Level 3
Joined: 08/22/2021

I've been pretty carefully trying to follow your advice and always tongue block and tongue switch between the one and two holes, including tongue blocking all bends etc. Lately, I've been starting to incorporate more playalong to classic songs. Mr. Morganfield and his associates play a song that got me to start taking baby steps in third position.. 

I've noticed in third position when I try to go from the 1 draw (quick pickup note) to the 2 draw whole step bend, tongue blocking seems impossible to play it smoothly. It comes easily and naturally to do it pursing. And I haven't given lip pursing really any practice time at all - I pretty much started here right off the bat tongue blocking. It seems like a compromise will have to be made if I want to play these two notes well now. Do you ever have times where you choose to purse? Can I let myself off the hook for this?

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Tue, 02/15/2022 - 08:21
#1
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello TylerWyler. In general,

Hello TylerWyler. In general, with practice, you can pretty much do anything with a tongue switch. With this said, it's very common for players to have different ways of playing hole 1, and there are no issues with that. So... go for it.

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