Sore Tongue
Hello everybody I've been a lip blocker for awhile now. Started tongue blocking a couple months now and the tip of my tongue is sore. I have been trying to press lightly but it still pretty tender. Is part of the process or am I doing something wrong.
Not that I'm 100% sure but if you are really using the "tip" of your tongue, try using the flat part just above the tip with the harp tipped slightly down. Check out Joe Tartaglia's video Tongue Blocking a Single Note. At about 2:00 minutes, Dave explains it. If you are already using the 'flat' of your tongue then it just might be a case of a sensitive tongue that needs toughening. Good luck with it!!
A plastic comb harmonica is nice on the tongue. The Marine Band is not sealed (wood swells), though the Marine Band Deluxe, and even better, the Crossover, both are. Give those a try.
Those Crossovers look sweet, but are hard to get these days. Most places only have limited keys and stock. I'm waiting for the newness to wear off before I dive in. Meantime, I've found the Special 20 an excellent newbie harp.
Howdy
I've been learning for about 6 months now, using pucker up until trying tb with these lessons. One thing to note with the Crossover is that, in my beginner's opinion, it's a little more difficult to learn tb on than the plastic combed harps. The tines are slightly recessed from the reed plates and it makes for a different feel than the Special 20. I love my Crossovers, but for getting the hang of tongue blocking I've had an easier time going on my Special 20s and Delta Frosts.
Throwing another one out there - I just got a Seydel Solist pro in F today, that's a wood comb I'm able to tb on as easily as the plastic comb. It plays great (and is cheaper and more available than the Crossover).
You know, after watching Mark Hummel's interview, I checked out Seydel for the first time (it's his preferred). Those 1847's look nice - but they are PRICEY. Overall - if you believe Seydel's marketing - they seem a bit better toleranced than the Hohners these days.
One comment - don't press the tip of your tongue onto the harp. You might as well lick a cheese grater.
Instead, touch the tip of your tongue to your lower lip or to the edge of your lower teeth, and gently press the top surface of your tongue onto the harp. It creates a wide gliding surface that won't poke into the holes of the harp.
Are you using a wood comb harp? If so, you might try going to a Special 20 or something with a plastic comb. Those Marine Bands can be brutal on the tongue when first starting out. I guess it's kinda like suffering until that callus gets built up on your finger when you're a guitar player.