Very Nice Post Bob and I totally agree...
Tightening up a the worse thing you can do!
I've copped a great exercise from my vocal techniques that transits over
very well to my Harmonica Technique....
Before I play do about 10 Minutes of scales vocally, the key here is
to Stick out your TONGUE as far as you can and then run the scales, don't
sing loud as the point here is to strengthen the glottal opening in the
back of your throat.
This will do WONDERS for your tone on both Diatonic and
Chromatic.....
If you happen to be a singer, this will save you MANY a HOARSE throats
the day after!
Be sure to WARM DOWN as well, you don't have to vocalize as much on the
warm down, just out the tongue and do some syllables etc......
Be careful tho, I do this in my car and eventually, someone at a red light
is gonna call me in as a perverted whacko...!!!! this doesn't look
pretty... but it wotks!!!,-))))
Happy tonguing!!!!!!!!!!!!,-))
best, rob