Re: [Harp-L] Three Standard Embouchures

[Joseph Leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Ok Neil, I understand. But the only reason I brought it up, and I am sincere about this, is that when one is compiling a compendium on harmonica (which I believe is you're mission), it  'could' (I say could) be somewhat dangerous to make generalities. Only because the harmonica is such a mouth instrument. Maybe as far as even being a vocal instrument. Consequently, since there are 7 1/4 billion people hanging around, I (as an island) would find it iffy to try to place the multitude of factors into fairly diliniated pigeon holes. 

As a side note: Back in 53 I bought my first Marine Band at a PX. While getting it used to my face and my face getting used to IT, I was going up and down the harp, and out of nowhere I manufactured a blow note out of thin air. Yes, admittedly, it WAS on the high end. And I was using TB at the time. Because that's what the little waxed paper diagram showed. So, your claim that maybe if TB would work..it would probably only do so on the high end seems plausible..at least to me. But I have hit other notes. So? maybe it's a question of how much mileage a person has put on harp?. I dunno. I am still not a great player, so I will bow to others on this list whom have progressed immensely.   

But I DO understand where you are coming from. And I find most of your information to be good skinny  :)  Keep up the great work. 

smo-joe   

On Aug 22, 2014, at 12:15 PM, Harmonicology [Neil Ashby] wrote:

> Joe:
> 
> I have not found any way to consistently overbend with the "Tongue-Block"; you might hit an overbend on the high-end with any embouchure, but using of the "Pucker" and precisely directing of the airflow with the tongue works consistently.
> 
> /Neil
> 
> On Friday, August 22, 2014 at 11:27 AM, "Joseph Leone" <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>> 
>> On Aug 22, 2014, at 11:18 AM, Harmonicology [Neil Ashby] wrote:
>> 
>>> 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.
>> 
>> Standard? 
>>> 
>>> (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.
>> 
>> Like that can't be done with TB? 
>> joe 'sierra' Leone
>>> 
>>> (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 ")
>>> 
>