Re: [Harp-L] re: tongue block

["Thomas McGovern" <tmcg@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I haven't heard anyone in this thread mentioning the tongue-curl method of
tongue blocking, i.e where you curl your tongue, with the tip of your tongue
against the harp, and blow/draw with pin-point accuracy.  I started playing
the harp that way listening to Sonny Terry records in 1970 cuz I found I
could do great slaps, and chords around the middle note my tongue tip was
playing.  I stuck with it over the years and now play almost exclusively
with tongue curling, including all bends and overblows.  Seems to allow me
to increase my volume without seizing up the reeds.  Drawbacks are that its
tough to play chords, and I have trouble hitting the 1-hole overblow.

Tom "Thumbs" McGovern
www.airmargaritaville.net


----- Original Message -----
From: <rainbowjimmy@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Tuesday, January 17, 2006 9:22 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] re: tongue block


> Some riffs are easier to play tongue block. Most of Sonny Boy II and
Little
> Walter's riffs are easier for me to do tongue block. Butterfield, Sonny
Terry,
> and Junior Wells are easier to play pucker. Hard rock riffing works well
in
> tongue block, quick single note playing is easier in pucker. It's easier
to
> cheat and get lousy bend notes puckering but you can't really blame the
> embrouchure. I use both interchangeably.
>
> When I tongue block, I tongue block on the right, no switching and just
keep my
> tongue on the wood when I go to the low notes.
>
> Tonewise it's a toss up. I like Little Walter's tone. I like Sonny Terry's
tone.
>
> Rainbow Jimmy
> http://www.spaceanimals.com
> http://www.soundclick.com/theelectricstarlightspaceanimals.htm
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