I just listened to your podcast with Phillip Jackson and then watched this. I'm glad you are more open to U blocking as an acceptable technique for achieving single notes. Like Jackson, I am a completely self-taught player for about 57 years now, both professionally and as a hobby. As a teenager, since tongue blocking was what was on the little pamphlet that came with my Marine Band, that's what I tried to do. I tried it for 2 years, with limited success, until discovering U blocking by accident. Instant joy! In developing my skills, I found it difficult to learn to draw bend, but who doesn't, no matter what the method. Once I got draw bending down, I found blow bending to be much easier. It's all just in learning to shape the airflow through the cavity of the mouth using tongue, cheeks and throat. All the standard blues techniques are readily learned as a U blocker, just as Phillip describes. I found two exceptions, however. The first was octaves, and that was much easier using tongue blocking. Second was overblowing. Just couldn't do it with my natural U blocking. So I had to go back and get much better at tongue blocking, then I was able to overblow, although it's still a bit of a chore for me, some notes being much easier to get than others. In my own experience, I think this is the primary drawback to U blocking. I had the good fortune to live near Norton Buffalo for a few years towards the end of his life, and he was very gracious to teach me a few things. The fast and intricate trills he was famous for are quite challenging for anyone, but I think are even more so if you are not a U blocker. Phillip mentions Norton's work with Roy Rogers, but I would also recommend the two albums of his own original music he put out in the 1970's: Lovin' In the Valley of the Moon (1977) and Desert Horizon (1978). Some incredible harp on these albums. One song in particular from Desert Horizon is called "Age Old Puppet". The harp solo in that song is a true masterclass in uptempo blues rock harp - not just fast, but musically creative and thoughtfully arranged. Of course, most people familiar with Norton are also aware that he performed the uncredited harp solo on Bonnie Raitt's hit "Runaway" (using no less than 4 different harps!). Thanks for all you do, Tomlin. I'm a subscriber and regular viewer of your channel, and I've learned quite a bit from you. All the best.
My form of U blocking, l slide my tongue in more of a V shape than a U shape along the bottom plate of the harmonica. This is how I got my first single note. It is easy to move my tongue back and up on to the comb to switch to pucker or tongue blocking. I am most comfortable when playing by U blocking. Second would be tongue blocking. When I started 10 years or so ago there were no videos on RU-vid about U blocking. There are only a few now, but I believe there are more people that play this way than we may think. Thank you Tomlin for this video. Oh another professional player that Is a U Blocker is John Nemeth. Check out his music, he is a good.
Awesome thanks for the clarity. Not many videos mention the U funneling of the tounge. I started off that way and noticed alot of players mentioning lip pursing instead. Didnt know it was improper til I got more into playing single notes
I’m an 80 year old busking banjo player who fractured his left arm June 29th. That is why I’m looking at harmonica until my arm recovers. Probably over 40 years since I played harmonica. I have been back busking with harmonica and singing. I have found myself playing melody U blocking without knowing what I was doing. I guess I learned over 60 years ago and don’t remember learning the method. All first position. I have become aware of the advantages of 2nd position so now I have to learn how to bend. Puckering doesn’t seem to work so far. I have signed up for the free beginner class
My name is Art and I just wanted to said that I sound the same with my U blocking as any tongue blocker. I learn this U blocking went I was learning from records of famous blues people like little Walter and wanted to sound like them with good tone. But back then I was thinking I was tongue blocking until I learned it was not.
I think you need to really go through all this soreness because if its sore it means that you are training some muscles you didnt before, but what happens when it comes to bending and overblowing when you dont go through all this training? Im guessing it'll be probably harder to learn.
I’m an 80 year old busking banjo player who fractured his left arm June 29th. That is why I’m looking at harmonica until my arm recovers. Probably over 40 years since I played harmonica. I have been back busking with harmonica and singing. I have found myself playing melody U blocking without knowing what I was doing. I guess I learned over 60 years ago and don’t remember learning the method. All first position. I have become aware of the advantages of 2nd position so now I have to learn how to bend. Puckering doesn’t seem to work so far. I have signed up for the free beginner class.
