U Block vs. Tongue Block
I am very new to the Harmonica and really having trouble with single notes. I have tried to get tongue blocking down and just can't seem to get clean notes all the time. I tried the curled tongue (u blocking) and have found it to be actually much easier and can get clearer single notes most of the time. Also moving over holes and back seems much easier. My question is ..anything wrong with using u block? have I given up to easy on tongue block. Really struggling with this.
Appreciate any help
Hello kroman532, welcome to the site. I try not to chime into this part of the forum since this is for the students to converse (you can ask me questions lower down in the list of the forum where it reads "Ask Instructor David Barrett), but I felt it important to reply. I do not recommend you U-block. Though you can achieve a single hole with it, it's a technique with no advantages... your tongue is on the face of the harmonica, so you lose the articulations that make the pucker embouchure good, and because your tongue is stradling both sides of the hole you loose the advantages of tongue blocking. So, keep working your tongue block. Focus on using the natural convex shape of the top of your tongue, making sure to use a light touch. Take your time, you'll get it... all wind instruments take a couple of months to achieve a good sounding note, so be patient. P.S., the Filisko Tongue Block Trainer is very handy. Best wishes on your studies!
Tongue Block Description
Place your lips over a four-hole span, using a light touch on the face of the harmonica. Use the top of your tongue just past the tip (called the blade of the tongue) with a light enough touch that the convex shape of the top of your tongue does not completely flatten on the face of the harmonica. Cover the left three holes with your tongue, leaving the right-most hole to sound a single note (4+ for example, blocking holes 1-3 with your tongue). Move the harmonica laterally—the focus is generally to move the harmonica, not your face or jaw.
Thank you for your responses. I will go back and start working on it. I am starting in your C harp for beginners.
Like I said I am just starting out and don't now what to expect or how fast I should be progressing.
Sure, I'm happy to help.
Let me add a bit to what David described.
Usually when you tongue block you isolate a single hole in the right corner of your mouth. (The corners are where the upper and lower lip meet at the right and left sides of the mouth.) If you find that notes are sounding on the left side as well, pay attention to the sensations of your tongue. The left edge of your tongue should contact both the left corner of your mouth and the inside of your cheek.
If you find that you're getting more than one hole sounding on the right side, don't use tension or pressure to close up the opening. The opening in your mouth should always be as large as possible to allow for easy, unimpeded airflow between your mouth and the reed. It's almost better to let your intention (to sound a single note) guide your nervous system to let it find the result. After awhile, as you feed it data from your efforts, the processor will figure out how to carry out your intent. With enough pratice, your trust and patience will pay off.
Check out the John Nemeth interview on the site, specifically the section on tongue blocking. He uses a u-block embouchure and gets a great sound, arguably indiscernible from tongue blocking.