[Harp-L] Three Standard Embouchures

["Harmonicology [Neil Ashby]" <harmonicology@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

This issue is often problematic, but perhaps SPAH could standardize some harmonica vernacular (even though 'comping' seems to have been rejected).

There are three standard embouchures for use with the harmonica:

(1) "Lip-Block" with the harmonica held at the upward angle (back to front) sufficient to primarily use the lower-lip for blocking holes to the side; the standard embouchure for bending on the Diatonic harmonica.

(2) "Pucker" with the harmonica held nearer to level (back to front) than with the "Lip-Block" and often used for trilling and overbends and other special effects.

(3) "Tongue-Block" used generally with the Chromatic harmonica _or_ with the Diatonic harmonica specifically for corner-playing and octaves and various intervals and slaps and other special effects.

/Neil (" https://www.facebook.com/people/Neil-Ashby-II/100004575466934 ")