[Harp-L] Re: Harp-L Digest, Vol 85, Issue 33

[Greg Heumann <greg@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

John, the simple answer is NO - TB is not required to get that great  
Chicago Blues Tone.... depending on which great blues player you're  
thinking of. As everyone else will surely tell you the human is the  
single biggest variable, etc. etc. There are lots of Chicago tones.

However, when it comes to amplified playing, and the very big fat dark  
sound of say, Kim Wilson, Gary Smith or Steve Baker, then tongue  
blocking has a very real advantage and this is why: In order to get  
that super deep fat tone out of a tube amp you have to drive it very  
hard with the mic. Cupping is an art and it takes time. But you will  
notice that these players aren't just getting a good seal between  
their hands, mic and harp, but also are blocking off every open hole  
on the FRONT of the harp with their thumb, cheek hands, and.....  
mouth. About the only way I can ensure that no air escapes through  
open reeds on the front of the harp is to use tongue-block position,  
which allows me to keep the entire left side of the harp in my mouth  
(at least when I'm playing holes 1-5 or so.) Then I can use my hands,  
face and right thumb to block the open holes on the right. This  
technique produces the deepest "wah" possible when used acoustically,  
and drives the microphone far harder than if even a single hole is  
open on the front of the harp. All you have to to is unblock the 10  
hole with your thumb, assuming you have the others covered, and you  
can hear the difference.

/Greg

http://www.blowsmeaway.com
http://www.bluestateband.net
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/duracool/id343874731



> From: "John Dekker" <jdekker@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Date: September 7, 2010 3:21:41 PM PDT
> To: "harp-l" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] Tongue blocking and tone
>
>
> As a beginner, I pucker for everything, and find tongue blocking to  
> be very difficult. Is it true that the great Chicago blues tone can  
> only come from tongue blocking? I think I read that Little Walter  
> and others tongue blocked most of the time. Is anyone getting "that"  
> tone while puckering?