Beginning Tongue Blocking Study 1
Everyone and teacher David,
(English is not my first language) I am the first month subscribtion and am stucked on the study "The Tongue Block Embouchure" I couldn't make single note, they are unclear, sometimes with 2 or 3 sound. In the video you said "instead of use the tip of the tongue we are going to use the top of the tongue and slightly below it touch the bottom plate", I discover myself play better note in this case with the harmonica tilt and deeper in my mouth. I can make good single note in this case but my problem are when I use the left hand holding harmonica (in the study you showed how to hold a harmonica) I can't tilt it that much with my finger all cross on it even with my finger hold the edge of harmonica.
Can I squeeze my tongue to the left and play single note? for example mouth on 1234 and squeeze my tongue to cover 123 and play 4, i can make pretty decent single note with my tongue squeezing but i am afraid if i have this habit it won't benefit for my future study. Or can I only follow the instruction in the video, use the top of tongue and tilt the harmonica?
Tks a lot!
Kirk
Wow, it is really teacher David replying me, so exciting feel like a fan talk to his ideal.
I study very hard dig into the video and try to copy and exact things but way too much, i agree I am making too big deal about it, thank you so much for pointing it out. You made study harmonica so much fun and easy! I enjoyed the tour you did in germany, enjoyed every lessons esp. beginning section 1, hear you play, and talk about harmonica even open it.
Thank You!
I'm very happy you enjoy the site... it's my pleasure to help. Best wishes on your studies!
Welcome to the site Kirk. You're going about this right... experimenting with your tongue, hand and mouth location. You don't want to use the side of your tongue, so be carefully that you're not pointing your tongue to the left and ONLY using the right side of the tongue. Most likely you're making too big of a deal about it. Stick the harmonica in your mouth, lips over four holes (1-4), stick your tongue out and block holes 1-3. If you use the tip, that's fine... down the road you use a little bit more of the top because it makes pulls easier. Use a light touch. Experiment, you'll get it. I also recommend you watch Joe Filisko's contributor videos on the subject, this may help.