tongue blocking technique question
Hiya David,
So I'm a pretty new player and I'm still working out my style between tongue blocking and puckering. So I kinda have a preference towards tongue blocking but there are things I just can't figure out how to do with that technique.
So specifically what I mean is this. Tomlin has this chugging video where he teaches something that goes like this '2 draw into 123 draw, 2 blow into 123 blow, 1 draw into 123draw, 2 blow into 123 blow' ( if I make 0 sense and you wana see the original : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyF0Id0s86I ).
So my ultimate question is how would you go from 2 draw or 2 blow into a 123 chord if you're using tongue block ? Would you even use tongue block ? That movement sounds kinda tricky and I can't seem to figure it out. I can sorta do it like tomlin does in lip pursing but it's messy and I'd rather do it in tongue block.
Thanks,
Regards
Chris
Ok that makes sense. I thought if I did that I'd be missing some of the notes that make the chord sound nice but now that I look at my harp note layout I see that the only note missing would be that 3 draw b ( on a c harp, I almost always play my c haha ). Funny thing is even if that b's missing I can't hear the difference... that's strange or there's something I'm not understanding.
Regardless, I've been retraining my muscle memory to your suggestion since yesterday and it's working great so thanks again!
Also thank you for such a quick reply, I didn't reply right away as I was out of the house but I read it on my phone and tried it right away ( this amazing little instrument fits in my pocket so I always at least have 1 with me haha ).
Best regards,
Chris
My pleasure Chris. The 3 draw in the chord is a subtle change. The reason why the 1 and 2 only sounds just fine, is that this lick is copying a tongue block sound... of which the original was actually only the 1 and 2 to begin with, if that makes sense.
Yeah I guess that does, I suppose I was stuck at the concept that a chord is 3 or 4 holes at once. I was under the impression that playing 2 holes at once was a 'dirty' note haha so I never even thought of trying it.
Say you mention 'the original' and now I'm curious as what song you're referring to. I really like the sound of those chords together!
That's a good point, I can see your logic. Yes, two notes can be thought of as a chord as well.
I'm not referring to a specific song, but the approach of classic blues playing (which is a tongue block style)
Hello Chris. The first thing to understand is that what Tomlin is playing is originally a tongue block-style line played by a pucker player. Get rid of hole 3 in your chord and you're good to go. Simply take your tongue off of the harmonica and the chord appears... very simple and elegant. This is why we tongue block, so that chords are easy to access at any time by simply taking our tongue off.