[Harp-L] U-tongue-pucker

[Michael Easton <diachrome@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I didn't bother taking sides in this discussion because I find at  
times I use all 3 methods but
learned how to do them in unorthodox ways to suit my needs.

One of the myths about tongue blocking is that you have to block 2 or  
3 holes to play one clean.
This could lead a pucker player to think T-Bing is like playing over  
a speed bump. not so.
I learned to block only one hole but with very minimal amount of  
tonguing.  This minimal use of the tongue
allows me to do fast intervals between holes without effort.  It  
isn't necessary to jam your tongue in the hole(s) to block them.
Only a bit of the tip needs to block the hole, not enter it.   Once I  
learned this, wood comb diatonics were no problem to play.
This method also taught me I could play more notes with less lip  
movement up and down the harp.

I learned how to play a modified U-P block when I picked up the  
chromatic in the 1970's. The square 270 holes were ripping my
tongue up.  I found it isn't necessary to block off holes with your  
lips or tongue as long as you have good control of air flow.

I use my tongue in a U type fashion but I don't block off any holes.  
I prop  the bottom tip of my tongue on the top of the mpc and direct
the air current to the hole I want to play.  The problem with square  
holes are no longer a  problem since I don't block them.
This method allows for a fatter tone then if I pucker alone because I  
can keep the oral cavity open wider and place the harp deeper in the  
mouth then puckering. The modified U block produces the same tone as  
if tongue blocking but there is no contact with any holes.

mike