Skip to main content
Blues Harmonica logo

User Account

Username:*
Password:*
Forgot Your Password?

Visitor Menu

  • Sign Up
  • Sample Lesson #1
  • Sample Lesson #2
  • Student Recordings
  • Forums
Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Tongue Slaps

2 replies [Last post]
Sun, 04/11/2010 - 10:44
hank stefaniak
hank stefaniak's picture
Offline
Teacher 6Level 9
Joined: 12/20/2009

I'm working on Cool Blue and (maybe overkill on detail) had the same question come up in my mind as when I was on No Sweat. Do you go with a tongue slap on each note -even in triplets (3-4-5)?? Or do you use the TS for emphasis only on certain notes? When a song is this tempo and the notes are quarter or triplet, it's slow enough to use them almost everywhere but is that overkill and ends up detracting from the emphasis that TS can give you. Is there some formula or just "what feels right". (As I ask, I realize just how "rookie" this sounds)

Top
Sun, 04/11/2010 - 11:01
#1
David Barrett
David Barrett's picture
Offline
ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Answer

You've got it... it's up to the player. In general, for a song of this tempo, you would slap the first note of the triplet (downbeat) and slide for the other two. Use the slap for where it sounds good... if a passage is too fast trying to use slaps won't make sense... use your judgement.

Top
Sun, 04/11/2010 - 11:07
#2
hank stefaniak
hank stefaniak's picture
Offline
Teacher 6Level 9
Joined: 12/20/2009
Thanks David!! Makes sense

Thanks David!! Makes sense when you say it.

Top

Sign me up!

Full access to all lessons starts at $20/month! (with annual subscription)

Subscribe

Free Sample Lessons

After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at BluesHarmonica.com.

  • Tongue Blocking Study 2 – This study is for the newer player or the player new to tongue blocking
  • Bending Study 5 – This is for the advanced player looking to improve their bending skills

Contributors

  • Aki Kumar
  • Joe Tartaglia
  • Gary Smith
  • Mark Hummel
  • Joe Filisko

Site Links

  • About David Barrett
  • Accredited Instructors
  • Links
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
Hohner
© 2009 - 2025 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.com