[Harp-L] Re: Standard embouchures

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

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.
>
>> 
>> (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.
>> 

I disagree with practically everything in this post:
1)  Lip block is not "the" standard embouchure for bending.  bending mostly happens in the throat, and therefore is compatible with any embouchure.
2)  The pucker embouchure is the main embouchure used by many players, including Butterfield and Musselwhite, and therefor is not relegated to "special effects."  it's also used by chromatic players.
3)  the tongue block can be used for damn near anything you can do with any of the others.

How did you come to these conclusions, anyway?

Regards, Richard Hunter