Tongue Lowering
Sat, 12/26/2020 - 19:30
I am beginner Harmonica Player. I started learning Harmonica primarily out of my immense interest to learn, play and enjoy music in my free time and to see the health benefits it may bring. I have a question regarding Tongue Lowering. When I look at the mirror and attempt Tongue Lowering I noticed that my tongue get pushed back curved and I cannot see the back of the throat. If I extend my tongue outside the mouth then I can see the back of the throat wide and open. I guess this is more genetic. I would like to know whether this will have an impact in playing Harmonica.
Hello kannur. Welcome to the harmonica. You can do this, the tongue needs training (all players have to train their tongue). Experiment. Open your mouth and yawn... this may lower your tongue (your jaw as well, which is fine). Try "O" as in "Oh." Also experiment with placing the tip of your tongue behind the front of your lower set of teeth... this is an analog for the tongue on the face of the harmonica. You may find that what you've tried makes more sense when the tongue is busy placed up against something in the front of your mouth (like when tongue blockng). Keep at it, you'll get it.