[Harp-L] was Re: U blocking.. Now Looong Tones

[The Iceman <icemanle@xxxxxxx>]

Most excellent. Loooong tones.


<<The thing that helped the most with my bends (and overblows, when it was time 
for that) was playing long tones.  When you hold a bend for an extended time -- 
as best you can -- there will be subtle shifts in the quality of the tone.  
Pitch, too, as it happens.  The idea is to givee your brain time and opportunity 
to register the correlation between what a tone  *sounds*  like and what the 
mouth/jaw/tongue/throat shape  *feels*  like.  Over time -- given ample 
opportunity -- your brain will start consistently selecting the shape that gives 
the best tone (and pitch).>>





-----Original Message-----
From: Elizabeth Hess <TrackHarpL@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Tony Stephens <tnysteph@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: Harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thu, Aug 1, 2013 9:46 am
Subject: [Harp-L] Re: U blocking


Hi, Tony,

Generally I tongue block at the lower end of the harp (holes 1-6), and pucker at 
the top end, including blow bends.  I use U-blocking on my chromatic harp 
because it seems to give me the best tone on that axe.  My teacher (Michael 
Rubin) urged me to U-block for blow bends at the high end of the harp, and I 
tried it and  *can*, but I prefer pucker for that because it serves me just as 
well, and because it reduces the need to switch embouchures any more than 
necessary.

I just got out a harp and tried draw bending on the low end with a U-block 
embouchure, and itâs definitely possible.  It didnât sound as good as my 
tongue-block bends, but I have years of practice at those.  So, if youâre 
looking for proof of concept, yes, itâs possible to bend with a U-block 
embouchure.

The thing that helped the most with my bends (and overblows, when it was time 
for that) was playing long tones.  When you hold a bend for an extended time -- 
as best you can -- there will be subtle shifts in the quality of the tone.  
Pitch, too, as it happens.  The idea is to givee your brain time and opportunity 
to register the correlation between what a tone  *sounds*  like and what the 
mouth/jaw/tongue/throat shape  *feels*  like.  Over time -- given ample 
opportunity -- your brain will start consistently selecting the shape that gives 
the best tone (and pitch).

Hang in there.  Harmonica is a long-term relationship, and patient persistence 
really does pay off.

Best,
Elizabeth H. (aka âTin Lizzieâ)


On Aug 1, 2013, at 6:28 AM, Tony Stephens wrote:

> Hello I have question. Do you play by u-blocking? If so can you do bending 
that way? 
> I play by u blocking. Working a bending now. I am just looking for a little 
input on this. I work at the pucker but it does not come easy to me.
> Thank you
> 
> Sent from my iPhone