Re: [Harp-L] Pucker vs u blocking

[Michael Rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>]

Eric,
Norton Buffalo was 100% ublock for single notes.  His bends were great.

I use u blocking for single notes on the chromatic, including bends.  I use
it for holes 7 thru 10 on the diatonic part of the time, including bends.
Michael Rubin
Michaelrubinharmonica.com


On Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 12:39 PM, Eric Miller <miller.eric.t@xxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> We may both get ridiculed here...but I also use ublocking on some single
> notes, and have gotten pretty good at it for single note pattern runs at
> speed, and for jumping up to a big high note from down low.  I'll use the U
> block to find the note first, then quick switch to pucker to bend/trem the
> note (so I cut my notes in half time sig wise...half becomes quarter, etc)
>
> I can't bend u blocking (at least not as fully/cleanly as you can from a
> pucker), so its utility is limited for me.  I suspect nobody can get really
> good at bending in the u block, so its really only useful for short pattern
> runs on blow/draw naturals.
>
> I look at it like this:
> pucker for normal playing
> TB for when you want that cool accompaniment/effects (I'm still learning TB
> btw...no reall skills here yet)
> u block as a crutch when you need it until you can pucker what you are
> u-blocking
>
> beware the TB nazis that will say you must TB your single notes to be a
> real harmonica player.  Jason Ricci, John Popper and many others play
> pucker most of the time.  (Jason switches to TB for the effects when he
> wants it, and John Popper replied "what's that" when asked if he TB'ed)
>
>
> On Thu, Feb 7, 2013 at 1:23 PM, Tony Stephens <tnysteph@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > Just want to get some input. U blocking is how I started, it came easy to
> > me. Single notes no problem with the U.
> > The pucker is great for articulation. Can do the Tat Tat Tat's easier,
> > much easier. Bending comes easier, but I am still working at bending.
> > Here is where I need advice, some people say do what comes easy, some say
> > I need to learn the pucker.  Can you use both? Tongue blocker's talk
> about
> > using both pucker & TB.
> > Advice please. Thanks all, Tony Stephens
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
>