Re: [Harp-L] It's a Lip Block (not Lip Purse) You are NOT "puckering" You ARE sim

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Insisting on the term "lip block" is dogmatic and inaccurate.

I can pucker a single note and turn the harmonica so that the holes are pointing straight up and not lose the single note. At that point, my lower lip plays no role at all in isolating the single note. When I turn the harp up, my lower lip is forced onto the lower cover of the harp and is several millimeteres away from contacting the front of the harp. The single note remains perfectly clear, though I lose a bit of tonal fullness.

When I do this demonstration I use my normal, relaxed mouth formation that looks like the mouth opening should play at least two holes but somehow doesn't. And I don't alter it in any way when I turn the harmonica upward, other than allowing the harp to push my lower lips away from the holes.

So it's not a lip block in any way, shape, or form. It's just my lips shaped so that I get a single note.

It is a false consistency to argue that because the name of one technique uses the word "block" that the name of a different technique should also use that word.

Winslow Yerxa

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

Resident expert at bluesharmonica.com

Harmonica instructor, jazzschool.com

Columnist, harmonicasessions.com

--- On Mon, 2/15/10, Frank franze <Franze52@xxxxxxx> wrote:

From: Frank franze <Franze52@xxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] It's a Lip Block (not Lip Purse) You are NOT "puckering" You ARE sim
To: Philharpn@xxxxxxx, "harp-l" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Monday, February 15, 2010, 10:10 AM

I REPEAT-- It's a Lip Block (not Lip Purse) You are NOT "puckering" You are NOT "pursing" You ARE simply resting the harp in your mouth and your bottom lip naturally BLOCKS the holes on either side of the note being played. Got it, good ...at ease--now go eat your rice krispies slowly, don't hesitate? 
OK- repeat after me>>>It's a Lip Block , It's a Lip Block It's a Lip Block , It's a Lip Block ,It's a Lip Block , It's a Lip Block It's a Lip Block , It's a Lip Block ,It's a Lip Block , It's a Lip Block It's a Lip Block , It's a Lip Block ,It's a Lip Block , It's a Lip Block It's a Lip Block , It's a Lip Block --Do 20 push ups and shower..