[Harp-L] Re: [Harp L] Tongue Flutter

[David Payne <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I have tried to do this. I can get the stabbing
motion. I can get the regular rhythm. What I can't
get is the speed. I start off slowly, try to speed up,
and trip over my tongue. The speed I want is the same
speed I apply to my trills-- a rapid regular
alteration of two adjacent notes on the harmonica. I
trill by shaking my head back and forth, and can
control the speed almost infinitely-- from very slow
to very fast.

   
   
  You might be trying too hard. I don't tongue block for most playing, I really only do it when I play octaves. Maybe instead of thinking about lifting your tongue and putting it back, try moving it off the harp by moving it up and down instead of straight back. You don't have to move it very far and your up and down tongue muscle is stronger than the muscle that moves you straight back. See if that might work better for you.
   
  Dave Payne Sr. 
  Elk River Harmonicas
  www.elkriverharmonicas.com