Re: [Harp-L] Technique u blocking

[Larry Marks <larry.marks@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I need to figure out what I actually do. Perhaps someone in this 
discussion can help me. I block using the center of my tongue to allow 
the passage of air. I do NOT curl my tongue in any way. The center of my 
tongue has a crease in it (I think everybody's does.)

So what is it that I am doing? I call it center tongue blocking because 
I do not make a "U" with my tongue and so don't think of it as U 
blocking. What do you think.

Being quintessentially lazy, I do not use side tongue blocking or 
pursing at all, ever, and I play only chromatical diatonical harmonica 
(both OB and valves.)

BTW, I have noticed another conversation about articulation with U 
blocking. As I say, I don't consider what I do to be U-blocking, but I 
have no problem with articulation using it. I am a trombone player, so I 
have practiced rapid articulation with fore-tongue, mid-tongue and back 
tongue (makes a big difference in sound - the degree of articulation.) I 
am as fast or faster on the harmonica as the trombone. You just have to 
get used to it.

  -LM
BTW, this is not by any means to disparage anyone else. Just what I do. 
Technique can be reasonably fast too. I can play Donna Lee error free at 
180.