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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Beginner tongue-blocking questions

4 replies [Last post]
Mon, 01/31/2022 - 10:09
SherlockHemlock
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Joined: 01/08/2022

Hi David. I've just recently started the lessons and I have a tongue-block technique question, as I know from other instruments the damage you can do with bad technique

20-second background ass it's not my first foray into trying to learn the harmonica:

I'm primarily a guitar player, and years ago I first picked upa harmonica as a guitar accompaniment with a neck brace - Heart of Gold, Piano Man - all the usuals. Because of reading about tongue-blocking on the internet I play like that, but I know know I was blocking from the wrong side - without the tongue blocking anything I would be playing notes higher on the register, rather than lower

After taking a greater interest in harmonica-playing and blues in general, I used some of Adam Gussow's lessons, and he preached puckering rather than tongue-blocking. I regret taking that route now, as I found that the lack of clear progressions route to the lessons stoppped me from getting better, and I am now back to start, having to learn to tongue-block again. I can bend and overblow (to an extent) with a pucker, but it is no use to me in a practical or musical sense

Anyway, I've been working just on blocking correctly for the past few weeks, moving between 4, 5 and 6, and it's getting there. Going up from 4 to 6 was easy, but I struggled with moving back down as my tongue would move with the harmonica 

So there are 3 ways that I have managed to not have my tongue move with the harmonica, but I don't know which I should focus on:

  • Less tongue pressure on the harmonica
  • Anchor tongue to back of bottom lip
  • Anchor tongue to back of bottom teeth

The main reason I am asking is that I have found it easiest with my tongue anchored to my bottom teeth, but given that teeth are an immovable surface I'm concerned that it may cause me issues down the road when it comes to shaping and bending notes.

Can you advise the best of those 3 approaches please?

Thanks in advance for your help

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Mon, 01/31/2022 - 12:01
#1
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Welcome to the site

Welcome to the site SherlockHemlock. Go for the light touch, that’s the winner (without it, your tongue is dragging on the face of the harmonica, causing the issue you mention).

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Fri, 04/01/2022 - 04:18
#2
SherlockHemlock
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Solo Harmonica Study 1 - Ex 1.12

Hi David,

Any tips on where to get a breath out in exercise 1.12 in the Solo Harmonica Study 1?

I've been working on getting a breath out on the 2 count of exercise 1.10 but I don't know where to do it in 1.12 and I'm struggling after a couple of bars

 

Thanks

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Fri, 04/01/2022 - 07:25
#3
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello SherlockHemlock. For

Hello SherlockHemlock. For Ex. 1.12 exhale through your nose on the 2+'s. Here's a lesson on how to do this https://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/breathing_harmonica

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Sat, 04/02/2022 - 02:41
#4
SherlockHemlock
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Thanks

Billiant, thanks David. I'll get stuck into that lesson

I had naturally beern doing a bit of that but had actually thought it was incorrect and I should have had my nose blocked off, so I had been trying to stop it rather than use it

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