Re: [Harp-L] Re: [HarpTalk] what's the best embouchure?

[joe leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Nov 7, 2010, at 6:08 PM, Larry Marks wrote:

> I can only speak for myself, because I know of really good players  
> of each persuasion. So I am answering this understanding that THE  
> BEST embouchure is the one that works for ya.
>
> Now, I play only tongue blocking. I probably do so because I  
> learned that way and have never had occasion to change. I learned  
> that way because someone told me that ALL the really good players  
> use tongue blocking. (Untrue, of course.)
>
> BTW, I was already a brass player before I learned harp. I  
> sometimes wonder if pucker embouchure would have been more natural  
> for me. Any other brass players to comment on that?

I played trumpet until my face was smashed in a bad accident. I  
played 'pout style'. which is similar to pucker, but the little waxed  
paper in the harmonica case showed tongue blocking. So, that's  
predominately what I do. I also use pucker on occasion. Rare occasion.
P.S. I have also played sax, clarinet, flute to a lesser degree. The  
first 2 use the pout, the last the pucker.
> Tongue blocking has never stopped me or made it difficult for me to  
> play whatever I can hear in my head. I can overblow (which I do  
> rarely), play valved (which I mostly do), do rapid double and  
> triple tonguing, and get a nice tone.
>
> I have been told by a variety of people - whom I regard as very  
> good players but nonetheless mistaken - that I can't tongue block  
> and do rapid tonguing, can't overblow, etc. Another blow against  
> orthodoxy!

I can't see why a pucker player would be any faster than a tongue  
blocker on tonguing. After all, it IS called tongue block for a  
reason. Now if you're talking about the 'spitting' embochure that  
pucker players (like Wonder) use, I can't see why that would be  
faster than a tongue flutter as used by a tongue blocker.
> I sincerely believe that if you want to play good harp, you are  
> willing to practice, you are willing to really listen to yourself,  
> you will develop the technique that you need/want using whatever  
> embouchure is comfortable and works for you.

Some people have an easier time genetically, but I agree with you.
>   -LM