my tongue is too wide
No matter how hard I try (given I've only been tongue blocking for a few days, albeit obsessively), I cannot seem to make my tongue narrow enough to block holes 2 and 3 and play holes 1 and 4 together. It feels as though the tip of my tongue is too wide. Blocking 3 holes and playing the outside notes works perfectly. Is this a common issue or is it just my genetics?
Thanks. I'm starting to get it, but so far, with an extremely light touch with the tip of my tounge that feels like it is just covering one hole, but is infact covering two.
Perfect
I saw improvement when I changed the way I held the harp such that it is pointed more upward. Take a look at Joe Fillisko's video on hands etc. Very valuable.
I saw improvement when I changed the way I held the harp such that it is pointed more upward. Take a look at Joe Fillisko's video on hands etc. Very valuable.
Ok, I'll check it out. Right now I'm getting better results pointing the back of the harmonica slightly down and using the bottom of my tongue to tongue-block rather than the top.
I checked the Filisko Harmonica Insights video and it was really helpful! His way of holding the harp is much more ergonomic, but I'm unable to slide up and down the harp using that method. I'll have to ask him more details about it. In the video he shows how you're left thumb and index finger always stay connected to your face - but I find this impossible in the middle or higher holes.
Hello Rishió. Play with the back of your harmonica tilted downwards, so that you're accessing the top of your tongue on the face of the harmonica.
With all holds, your face makes contact with your hands, the key is to not push... they should glide against each other. Everything (tongue, lips, hands, face, etc.) should always be approached with a light touch. If what you're experimenting with is ineffective, resist the urge to tighten up and squeeze/push... keep experimenting with your placement until you can both use a light touch and what you're trying to do is successful.
Keep at, you will get it... you just don't know when.
Hello Rishió. Try the top of your tongue instead of the tip. The top of the tongue is naturally convex, but only when very relaxed. When I tongue block my octaves I play them this way. Experiment with it... again, using a light touch is key... any way that you play, if you push, the octave will not sound. Let me know how this goes.