Bending
Dave - Regarding bending. Im better at it if I just use the pucker technique without tongue blocking. My understanding is that many harmonica players use a combination of tongue blocking and the pucker technique particularly when it comes to bending. I also can visualize the bend better if the tip of the tongue comes off the harmonica and is drawn back with the tip remaining down below the bottom teeth. Should I still try to learn the bend utilizing tongue blocking where the tongue remains on the harmonica but it would seem to me that you then have to either elevate or lower the harmonica angle with the harmonica going deeper into the mouth to achieve the bend. Do you have a preference for elevating the harmonica up or down with bending
Dave I want to be sure I understand what you mean by this: "I do prefer the face of the harmonica (holes) to go down,"
So the back of the harmonica(opposite side from where the lips are on the holes) is slightly tilted up, and the numbered holes are down lower in the mouth, and the flat top of the harmonica is elevated toward the nose, not the bottom flat surface of the harmonica toward the chin - Correct?
"So the back of the harmonica(opposite side from where the lips are on the holes) is slightly tilted up, and the numbered holes are down lower in the mouth, and the flat top of the harmonica is elevated toward the nose, not the bottom flat surface of the harmonica toward the chin - Correct?" You are correct. If you watch my lessons with Hob you'll see me demonstrating this.. as well as Blues Harmonica Fundamentals.
Hello Baruch. You can pucker for your bends, you'll just need to look at the passages you learn in your studies and figure out where you'll switch embouchures. The general rule of thumb is that you'll pucker holes 1-3 and TB 4-10. When you bend, you switch to pucker.
Down the road you'll want to learn how to bend holes 4-6 in a TB, so you don't have to switch in TB territory. Those are easier bends though, so it won't take you long.
You don't need to change the angle of the harmonica between puckering and tongue blocking. I do prefer the face of the harmonica (holes) to go down, this is good for both pucker and TB (I teach this in the beginning lessons). When puckering, it allows for your mouth to be larger (you're using a little bit of the lower lip for your embouchure) and when tongue blocking, you're making a better angle for the harmonica to meet the tongue.