Re: [Harp-L] Mid tongue wag help

[IcemanLE@xxxxxxx]

Part of tongue ability is genetic. Some can curl their tongue - others can  
not. Some can wag their tongue left and right at incredible speeds, others just 
 have a slow tongue. Mine is slow in this regard - however, I have been able 
to  improve the speed a bit through concerted practice, but will probably 
never  reach the Gwen Foster level.
 
 
In a message dated 8/21/2008 4:09:25 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx writes:

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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