Fwd: [Harp-L] U-block and Tongue-blocking

["Winslow Yerxa" <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

--- In harp-l-archives@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "VILLEMINOT,Christophe" 
<Christophe.VILLEMINOT@xxxx> wrote:
Hello,

1) Last week-end, I've tried to use "U-block" but it's very difficult.
I don't understand how to do. Someone can explain me an easier way to 
do it
?

2) Also, When you play in "Tongue-blocking" and you have to play on 
the
first or second hole, do you use "left Tongue-blocking" or "Pucker" ?

============Winslow writes:

You have three choices:

- pucker

- left-side tongue block

- right side "air block"

The first two don't need further definition, but let me expand on the 
air block.

Normally when you tongue block, your lips and tongue are in contact 
with the covers and mouthpiece of the harmonica, and this contact 
creates the airtight seal that allows air to be directed solely to 
the holes you wish to play.

When playing the holes at the extreme left using a right side tongue 
block, the let side of the lips and tongue extend off the left end of 
the harmonica and be hanging in the air, so to speak. However, this 
does not mean any loss of airtightness. Normally, when tongue 
blocking, the tongue is extended through the lips to contact the 
mouthpiece. The contact between tongue and lips is enough to form an 
airtight seal when the left portion of the embouchure extends off the 
left end of the harmonica and is exposed to the air.

This air block allows you to maintain a consistent right-side tongue 
block when desired.

Which of the three choices should you use in any particular 
circumstance? That depends on the context.

- If you are playing a line that employs a right-side tongue block 
and there is no other reason to change, then just maintain iit and 
use an air block as needed.

- If you are playing a line that makes a sudden rightward leap from 
holes 1 or 2, then switching to a left side tongue block for Holes 1 
and 2 may faciliate that action by switching from left (for Holes 1 
or 2) to right (for higher holes like 4 or above) in order to make a 
clean, smooth leap.

If you are playing a lot of alternating chords and single notes in 
the Holes 1-3 area, some of this may be easier or more characteristic 
with a pucker. Likewise, if the passage requires precise bending and 
separate articulation (like staccato) of bent notes, you may find 
this works better with pucker, depending on your skill level with 
tongue blocked bends and articulation.

Winslow