Bending Realization Through Tongue Blocking Study 2.5
I believe geographic might not be the best word for certain areas of the tongue but that is what I am going to use for this inquiry. I have been going over your new lesson, Tongue Blocking Study 2.5 and have realized something that relates to bending notes.
It seems that I have been only using a certain area of my tongue to bend. It would be the front right half of my tongue.
When you demonstrated with the trainer and I finally understood that if my mouth was covering the first 4 holes and the harmonica was angled and put in a little deeper, why couldn't I try keeping everything in place, (jaw not moving) and try to bend all of the first 4 notes without moving my tongue to where I have been using exclusively?
Is it a good practice to use different areas of the top of the tongue to bend versus only one part of the tongue?
I also have to do a screen shot of your demonstration and then cut it into a graphic software and then reverse it so I then can look at it as I would be looking at a mirror. I have trouble rearranging what I am seeing on the computer screen to what I am doing with my harmonica
I can see that I need to get the left side of the harmonica as far left into the left side of my cheek and then I can cover the four holes with the angled position of the harmonica and a little deeper position.
I might have used too many words to explain this. I have been only using one sweet spot for the bend and moving each time to get to the next bend, where maybe I could use different areas that are adjacent to each other?
I am doing a drill where I am not moving from the position of covering holes 1 - 4. I am running through all of them without moving my tongue at all. I have to stretch or work hole number one which is way out in left field but I can do 2 - 4 with concentration.
Always things to study..
Thank you so much!
Will
This goes to show how mysterious the tongue is. It is my fault because I am only going by feel only. I blame the tongue for everything, my wife snoring etc. HA...
I understand the constriction spot and the further forward and backward, but as far as utilizing which area on the top side of the tongue do you use the left top side of the tongue or the right top side or both etc.
My tongue sticking out, my perspective. I would move the constriction back for the bending but as far as across the tongue, what areas should I use for bending or blocking? I physically have the harmonica more towards my right cheek versus absolutely straight into my mouth. X is where I feel that I bend and block. I know that the X would move back for different notes and the ? would also move back.
Harmonica Here
...............
.??? . x .
...............
...............
................
................
Back of Mouth
If you tried to play holes 1-4 individually, and bent each one by themselves do you change, not going back to find the constriction, (which I understand), but as far as the left side of the tongue for hole 1, a little more to the right for hole 2, etc until hole number 4 is on the right side of the tongue.
It is a across the tongue question, not a going back constriction question.
Put it this way, if you were only trying to play those holes, would there be any movement of the harmonica to do this or you would just use different a part of the tongue to play 1-4 individually not together as a chord?
I have been moving each time to play each of the notes. Not a big move because they are adjacent but I am doing that. Should I train myself to keep the top part of my tongue flat up against the harmonica and then train myself to play areas going across the tongue?
It is not a constriction, bending or humping of the tongue but a across the tongue.
I might be right tongued!
The tongue trainer is cool for physical training for us and for your instruction.
Will
Good morning Will. You got me pretty confused at this point. Let me do my best to answer what I think is your question.
Bending - The constriction point is in the center (not left or right). You may feel it slightly to the right when performing high-pitched bends, since the constriction point is very far forward.
Tongue Blocking - I use the top-and VERY slightly the right part of the tongue to block the three holes to the left.
Your "Put it this way" statement I'm having trouble understanding. If you're asking if I use a different part of the tongue to play hole 2, or hole 3, or hole 4... no.
Did I get close?
Very good. Yes, that is the answer I was looking for. I sometimes feel like a monkey trying to make love to a football.
It is not as bad as it used to be. I am going to pick up one of Joe's trainers. Are you going to do a session on bending with one of them?
I believe what you just told me will make my blocking and bending stronger because I will be putting down more tongue surface on the harmonica.
Your Tongue blocking trainer helped me tremendously in uncovering some of the hidden questions I had.
Don't be too concerned about not understanding everything I write or say. As I have gotten older I just let it all pass.
Back into my practice.
Thank you so much David.
Will
I do give a short demonstration in the upcoming TBT video... to be released soon... but maybe for only a couple of minutes... there isn't much to see/hear in that respect.
Glad you found the TBT footage helpful. "Is it a good practice to use different areas of the top of the tongue to bend versus only one part of the tongue?" Yes, you need to use different parts of the top of the tongue, that is what creates the bend... the constriction spot... further forward for high bends and further back for deeper bends... it's that wave of the tongue movement as I describe in Bending Study 1... the "She," "Key," "Koo" idea. Keep experimenting, you'll get it!