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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

tongue blocking tongue position

3 replies [Last post]
Tue, 04/13/2010 - 11:17
MrSoAndSo
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Joined: 04/12/2010

Hi Dave, I'm a new member and am enjoying exploring the site. I joined up to get deep into the tongue block techniques, after starting off as a lip purser.

I've been working on tongue blocking for about six months and can do most of the bends, including blow bends (except 10). After viewing a few of the videos on your site, I noticed that you use the top of your tongue to block. On my own, I have been playing around with several variations, including using the bottom of my tongue instead of the top. I don't find too much difference either way in terms of tone or the bending pressure achievable, since my bends seem to be very throat oriented. One advantage for me to using the bottom of the tongue is that the harp can be tilted down (back lower than front) which I find to make for a comfortable hand position, and gives a better angle for seal for the tongue. This is analogous to tipping the harp up (back higher than front) when using the top of the tongue to block.

My question is: Is there a particular advantage to using the top of the tongue vs. the bottom? For example, does using the top of the tongue help with some of the other techniques (slaps, pulls, etc., that I hope to learn from you)? I'm at a stage where I could adapt strictly to your method, and don't want to develop any bad habits.

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Tue, 04/13/2010 - 12:14
#1
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Answer

Good question. There is no problem... Gary Primich played that way (watch his interview). The only thing I can think of is if your tongue is large enough, then the piece of skin (or whatever that is) that connects the under side of your tongue to the bottom of your mouth will not get in the way when you play wider tongue block techniques. For example, when we do pulls on the high end when we're playing octaves you'll need to block five holes with your tongue. The same goes for the chromatic. I can perform these with the under side of my tongue, but I can see if someone is a much smaller person that it may be an issue.

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Sun, 04/18/2010 - 14:31
#2
marcos
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Teacher 9Level 10
Joined: 01/11/2010
Frenulum linguae

(That's the little thing that connects the bottom of the tongue to the floor of the mouth, in most people)

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Sun, 04/18/2010 - 16:02
#3
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
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Thanks Doc!

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