For anyone struggling with this technique, just stick with it. I picked up the harp 6 months ago, and have taken lessons since week 1. I’ll admit, my harp never leaves my pocket unless it’s to practice... My instructor has been impressed with the speed of my progression (bending 1-10, accurate single notes, tremolo, vibrato, starting to overblow *ouch), and has now re-directed my main focus towards tongue blocking proficiency. He states, “It’s much much better to learn both ways early on, vs trying to move away from puckering and learning TB’ing later... you will thank me for it.” Fast-forward 2 months of painful noises coming from my harp, and it’s just now beginning to be really fun again. The tonal qualities you can achieve via TB are unmatched. It’s well worth the struggle!
I tried the technique and immediately had a MAJOR improvement on my single notes. All clear except i get a lot of saliva which is gross. But It's amazing!!! Thank you!
Respected sir I AM RESIDING IN KOLKATA WEST BENGAL INDIA AND MY AGE WIIL BE ON 1ST OCTOBER 80 YRS. HOWEVER I HV BEEN LEARNING BUT SOMETIME AT THE TIME OF PLAYING HARMONICA FEEL IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTINUE LONG TIME ( AT A STRETCH) BLOWING. SUPPOSE FIVE OR SIX SAME DRAWING NOTES I HV TO PLAY AT A TIME FALL ME IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION AS PER EXPAMPLE DDD d DD NN HERE D MEANS IN ENG. E MY REQUEST IS SEEKING UR INSTRCTUCTIONS HOW TO OVERCOME THIS DIFFICULTY. WARM REGARDS
Thanks, Liam. Your lessons are excellent! In the video you point your tongue to the left to block holes 1 - 3, so it's the right side of the tongue that's doing the blocking. Is it always so or are there circumstances where it's easier or better to block with the left side, i.e., point the tongue to the right?
wow i love this technique , playing single notes is actually easier like this . But i feel like the corner of my mouth is getting really dry. Do you guys use vaseline or something ?
Hi realeques, I know some people who use vaseline/lip balm etc but I hate the feeling of that stuff, I just drink lots of water and lick my lips a lot!
thanks for your free lessons. a lot to chew on for me before i take the premium dip. i think perfecting the tongue block and pucker transition is one big thing i'd like to do, and that begs the question: is bending *only* with puckering? or is it doable with tongue blocking, but just takes more practice? i ask because your lesson on bending uses tongue position with (presumably) puckering, so if we're using our tongue to block is it more about using our diaphragm and mouth shape to induce the bend?
Hi Gagan Sidhu, yes you can bend with tongue block too. It's not harder, it's just different. You still have to apply the same technique, it's just that your tongue is busy already so it takes a bit of getting used to. Best of luck! Cheers. Liam
How does one bend single notes with there tongue already in use? I mean, if you don't purse your lips and only tongue block that is.. That's the biggest problem I'm having at this point.
Hi Paul, it's the same concept, it's just takes a bit of getting used to. You're still trying to shape your tongue to angle the air. I describe as like "hampered cueing" in snooker - it's perfectly possible but it takes some getting used to. I'm planning to make a full course on tongue blocking later this year, including bending :)
Do tongue blockers always block off the unwanted holes, or looking at it another way, only allow air to a single hole? I'm thinking of curling your tongue around a particular note?
Lots of different ways to use your tongue, basic tongue blocking is what Liam is talking about using the tongue to block the holes to one side of the note you want to play. But you can also lift to the tongue to play a chord then put it back - that's called tongue slapping. You can also use the tongue to block the middle holes to play notes either side - called splits or octaves. Curling the tongue round the hole you want to play is usually considered a separate technique called u-blocking.
Hi Kevin, the curled tongue technique is called U-blocking. I have a video on it here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-_caU5yFJVmo.html
I'm also facing the same.. Is there any technique to adjust the the harmonica such that we get less saliva on the instrument..? Or is it a common thing ?
I also drooled more while playing along to Ariara Sfair. I think that had nothing to do with technique thought because I’m no where near close to there, but I am so glad you slowed thst sond down and transcribed it. I want to master THAT and I am a total beginner
