Re: [Harp-L] Mid tongue wag help

["Rick Dempster" <rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Michael;
             I do the Foster thing, and I'd say that it is the same as 'corner switching'. Yes, it's the underside of the tongue that does the blocking, but the tip (or tip-underside,I'd have to say) stays more or less rooted to the comb, while the back of your tongue does the shake, providing just the right amount of movement at the front-sides. Imagine placing your finger on the top of a pile of jelly (hell....that's what we call it...maybe I have to say 'jello' here) in a bowl. When you shake the bowl, everything moves except that one spot where your finger tip is held.
             Corner switching is usually a slower, more deliberate action, but it's the same thing in my book. I use this method all the time, even substituting the 'head-shake' for a Foster 'tongue-shake' which gives a cooler, more passive sound, like a keyboard.
             This is a great technique on harp, though hardly anyone seems to use it.
RD

>>> "michael rubin" <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx> 22/08/2008 6:08 >>>
I have spent two spah's learning this technique from Joe Filsiko and
James Conway.  They are the only two people I have heard do this well
live.  Gwen Foster did it.

This is not corner switching!  This is not tongue blocking out of the
left and then the right very quickly.

According to the masters, you put the tip of your tongue lightly on
the harp and blow a double stop out of the two sides of your mouth.
At a certain pressure point the middle of the tongue begins to spasm,
moving left and right.

I have spent about an hour a day on this since SPAH.  SOmetimes I feel
I've got it, but then I wonder if it is my tongue wondering what I am
asking it to do and falling into tongue switching from muscle memory.
I also have experience my tongue seemingly involuntary coming on and
off the harp.  I also have felt some tongue motion and hear a
difference in tone, only to wonder if it a very light vibrato.

I seem to have the most success when the bottom of my tongue is
touching the harp.
How much pressure should I use.  What part of the tongue should I use?
 HOw much air pressure should I use?  How deep should the harp be in
the mouth?  How much intentionality should be used moving the tongue
left and right?  Conway seemed to suggest none, that it is all spasm.
Is this genetic?

Thanks,
Michael Rubin
Michaelrubinharmonica.com
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