Re: [Harp-L] Triplets and a Quadruplet

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Why make a sharp dividing line for where you switch embouchures?

If the lick is heading into the area of the harp where you prefer to pucker, then why not start the lick with a pucker even if it's a hole or two past the area where you normally pucker? That way you can play it smoothly without a needless switch.

But let me ask you why you're dividing the harp into areas in the first place. You should be able to tongue block or pucker anywhere on the harp, and to switch when you have a good reason, no matter where you are on the harp.

You can tongue block all the way down to Hole 1. If your lips end up hanging off the end of the harp, your tongue is still between your lips and can seal off your embouchure (see my book for details). If you have trouble bending the draw notes in Holes 1, 2, or 3 with a tongue block, work to strengthen your tongue-blocked bending.

What are good reasons to switch embouchures? The only really good reason is you need to something that's only possible or practical with one embouchure, followed by something that is best done with the other embouchure.

For instance, if you have to play rapid repeated notes that are best articulated by using your tongue to go "t-t-t-t-" or T-k-t-k-t-k" then you need to pucker. If you then need to follow that with a  series of rapid octave leaps up and down, you're better off tongue blocking and alternating between the left and right side of your mouth. This is stuff I have to do on the fly, anywhere on the harp, when I'm playing fast fiddle tunes.

So, as has already been stated by others, learn to pucker all the way up and down the harp, and learn to tongue block all the way up and down the harp. Then figure out why you'd want to do one or the other, and why (and where) you'd want to switch.

By the way, I wrote a whole series of articles at HarmonicaSessions.com about embouchure switching and how to practice it. You can even switch embouchure while playing a sustained note. The articles are written for chromatic harmonica but can be applied to any kind of harmonica.

Winslow

Winslow Yerxa

Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5

--- On Tue, 10/13/09, Denny Noreikas <harpmessin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

From: Denny Noreikas <harpmessin@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] Triplets and a Quadruplet
To: "Harp- L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2009, 5:52 PM

I tongue block holes 4 and above but lip purse holes 1, 2 and 3.
When it comes to playing triplets, (ie. 4' 4 5 or 4 4' 3 or 3 3' 2) or
a quadruplet (ie. 4' 4 4' 3) I have difficulty in switching embouchures.
Am I better off lip pursing triplets and this quadruplet; should I practice
tongue blocking the entire harp; or will mixing embouchures work
with more practice.

Any help is appreciated.

Denny

P.S.  My tabs are all draws with some bends.
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