David Barrett on tongue blocking (Harp to Harp 1.2: harmonica interview by Liam Ward) 

Spent 14mo learning harp puckering, learned multiple blues standards, playing the right notes and timing, but something was missing. I then spent the next year solely tongue blocking and it was the best decision I ever made. His example of Juke is literally the exact reason why I decided to learn TB’ing. Now I use both depending on the articulation/speed the song calls for, and it’s amazing how much creative freedoms it provides. If anyone is on the fence… DO IT. Start playing 100% TB for a year and then use them both. It will be painful and frustrating, but it’s beyond worth it if you ever intend of playing gigs.

David Barrett has an incredible tone. All the tongue blocking techniques sound great. They give the harmonica a bigger sound and give it an extra rhythmic quality. Definitely worth working into your playing.

Damn! 18 months in my learning... always a pucker player. Making sure jaw is dropped, harp in deep etc. for good tone... Tried tongue blocking before but never got anywhere. Now I watch this and say: ok give it another go. Wow. I just "got it". 😮 Can play simple single notes melodies TBed like When the Saints... Could even bend the 4 while TB. It seems that my toneis different. Louder... better? TB seems to forces me to really breathe from the diaphragm. No cheating. And keep mouth and tongue relaxed. No cheating there either. Ok I am sold. 😂🎉 Thank you!

Great lesson - well explained and without bias toward one technique or the other. For those people who mainly know of Dave Barrett as a teacher, you should check out an album that he, Gary Smith and Aki Kumar released not too long ago. It's called "It Takes Three" and has some terrific playing (and really cool tunes) by all of them.

Talk about a Valid point, I'm glad i came across this in my 7 month, your interview will make the difference indefinitely.. I must say , I'm honored ! I have faith , but I wish to meet you all one day .. so I can bring this comment up .. lol.. great job guys , thank you again !!!!!

Best tongue blocking lesson ever

Great interview....explained and demonstrated so well!!

Thanks for that great video as I am a pucker player and trying to learn Tongue blocking it’s hard to do but I’m getting there very slowly. I’m determined to crack it as I can see the advantages as you explained and demonstrated. Thank you

Thank you! Great teacher 🙂

Excellent interview, greetings from Nicaragua.

Cool interview! Thanks to you both!

Great interview

Very good info here. I am learning to Tongue Block and it is cool. Doors are opening to new things.

great

Mr. Barrett wears me out... on and on and on...

I think he is in front of a green screen

Tongue