Re: [Harp-L] Various tongue block techniques

[Joseph Leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I use the same Mike. I think it is (technically) a tongue block. But instead of following the little waxed paper sheet that came with harps back then which directed you to cover THREE holes and then block two, I cover two holes and block one. 
I think you are correct on the speed. I also asked ANYone to describe the difference between tongue and pucker back around 1998. But I never got a definitive reply. I barely have any harmonica IN my mouth, tending to play as though I were eating fish and searching for possible choke hazard bones. When I studied trumpet, I could walk up to one that was hung from two strings, place my lips to it and get a sound. I don't believe in swallowing harps, and have never ever had sore lips. Not
even with a coleslaw grater Hohner 270. 

smokey-joe & the Cafes

On Mar 23, 2016, at 6:21 PM, Michael Easton wrote:

> Been a long time since I’ve posted here but It’s easier to ask the question here then on FB. 
> 
> While I mainly tongue block on diatonic and chromatic there is a technique I use on CX-12’s that is oddly different but I can use it on any harp.   I first came across it when I was playing the older 270’s with the sharp square edge mouthpieces.  Since I only single hole tongue block (tongue closing hole on left, playing on right)   the tip of my tongue was getting bloodied from the sharp holes. Pucker playing hurts my jowls after a few minutes so I came up with a method to avoid cutting my tongue. 
> 
> I brought up the question years ago on Harpl and was told by someone with a physics background that  it was impossible to do. More than 15 years later I’m still doing it.  I use to think it was U Blocking, but from what I understand about that technique  is that you curl the sides of the tongue up toward the center of the tongue to isolate a path to the hole.  He said you can’t direct airflow to a single reed while leaving other holes exposed to the air flow without causing the other reeds to respond.  I replied that you can.  I was already using that technique for a few years before that post.  
> 
> What I do is lay the bottom of my tongue on the upper half of the mouthpiece without physically closing off any holes and direct the air flow for clean single note playing of the intended hole.  I can do it pretty much on any chromatic or diatonic. Same strong notes sounding as if I were tongue blocking.  With the diatonic I place my tongue on the top cover plate without touching the wood comb.  The technique only allows for slow to medium tempo playing on some harps but I can play fast blues using it on a CX-12. 
> 
> Has anybody else used this technique?   I might have to give a name to it. :) 
> 
> Mike
> www.harmonicarepair.com <http://www.harmonicarepair.com/>