Re: [Harp-L] Tongue-locating

[Matthew Smart <matthewsmart@xxxxxxxxx>]

I teach them all how to tongue block! Robert was a great teacher to me 
and is a much more versatile player. However, I found personally, that 
it was more natural to me to tongue block and also because I all ever 
wanted to do well was play blues. That is still all I want to do. It 
took me about 2 years to complete the transition to tongue block but I 
am so glad I did.

Now when i have a student i give them the choice. I play them the 
opening lick to Little Walters Cant Hold Out Much Longer pucker version 
and then tongue block with slaps and octaves.

Then I say which one would they like to sound like?



On 10/13/2012 2:29 AM, Robert Hale wrote:
> I discourage students from learning the harp by feeling the intended hole
> with the tip of the tongue just before playing
> (tongue-locating) because I've seen it make new students forever
> over-cautious. They become afraid to play (without it) for fear of making a
> mistake.
>
> The ONLY time I might use tongue-locating is in the recording studio when I
> want to insure a clean start on next take.
>
> What experience do you, students and teachers, have with this technique?
>
>
> Robert Hale
>
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