Subject: Re: [Harp-L] embouchure

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

However, for people like me who take great comfort in the fact many of  
those we admire play primarily lip blocking style (Jason Ricci, for  
example)....and who aren't in the least 'stiff or rigid', but just can't shove  more 
of the harp into our mouths because of underlying severe jaw  
problems/damage, most of these points simply aren't valid. 
 
 I'd very much like to play TB as people describe it and have tried to  
teach it to me, but having given it the old College try (and being read the  
riot act subsequently by my orthodontist/TMJ specialist), I'm forced to 
restrict  my playing to what is comfortable, natural and safe for my own jaw  
restrictions...is the thing. 
 
I know I'm not alone.
 
I'm quite with Richard on this one. Play how it works for you. 
 
I don't believe there is a 'proper' way....since we're all made  
differently. Make your own kind of music...make it work for you, is all that  really 
matters, isn't it?  
 
Just as there are no stupid questions in re harmonica, there should be no  
hard and fast 'rules'  as to how to play. You guys start making  rules such 
as  'need or should or have to' do this or that, I for one  am outta here. ;)
 
Elizabeth 
 
PS: I think there is a bit of a misnomer about just what 'pucker' means  
(especially for new players). Rarely do I ever see a player actually pucker  
their lips the way one imagines a 'pucker' to be.  
 
 
Barbecue Bob writes:
 
"Message: 9
Date: Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:25:32 GMT
From:  "bbqbob917@xxxxxxxxxxx" <bbqbob917@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L]  embouchure
To: jim.alciere@xxxxxxxxx, _Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxxx (mailto:Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx) 

Hi Jim,
A lot of pucker players tend to have a hard time adjusting to  TBing 
because of the folowing reasons:

a.) Their embouchure is often too  small and haven't learned to adjust it
b.) The inside shape of their mouths  is often not opened wide enough to 
properly accomodate the tongue and so the  overall opening is still in pucker 
mode and you need to have a far more open  throat much like a vocalist in 
order to make it work
c.) The tongue HAS to be  pressing VERY LIGHTLY and never forced because 
all that does is totally tense  all of your muscles up and you work against 
yourself
d.) Not learning to be  physically relaxed 24/7, which is a major component
e.) Their embouchure is  often far too stiff and rigid because you always 
need to make adjustments and  also need to have more of the harmonica in your 
mouth than puckering  does.

Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston,  MA
http://www.barbequebob.com 
CD available at  http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte