[Harp-L] Pucker/U block

[Trip Gmail]

My dad taught me U blocking as that was the embouchure he learned as a kid in NYC in the 20s and 30s. Later I switched to pucker, then to tongue block, and now I have been finding U Block very appealing, especially in the upper register where it flatters those potentially shrill notes. Both Mark Graham and Norton Buffalo use U Block and are incredible players with tone to envy.

Trip

Message: 4
Date: Sun, 28 Oct 2018 01:47:29 +0000 (UTC)
From: Mick Smith <amicksmith at xxxxx>
To: "harp-l at xxxxx" <harp-l at xxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] Double tongue blocking?
Message-ID: <2000803956.17576684.1540691249030 at xxxxx>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8

I have read about the 2 styles of single note playing, pucker and tongue block but I don't think I use either.? I taught myself to play by rolling up my tongue and using it to direct air flow at one hole only, and to bounce it off for chords.? I could play simple tunes by holding the harmonica with my teeth and moving my tongue left and right over 4 holes maybe.? Dentures prevent that any more, and I usually used a horse collar anyway.
Does anyone else play like this?? I haven't played for 40 years but am now relearning and have decided on chromatic and solo tuned for Irish traditional and Gospel music where notes are more important than bends and chords.? I am exploring pucker and tongue block but neither seems as intuitive as tongue-roll to me, except center? blocking for octaves or intervals seems appealing.? I do plan to explore them enough to know what tools are available.
I am fascinated by the talk on positions and modes, as much of Irish music is modal, and my ear/brain is starting to grasp the feel of it.? My plan is to learn to hear and feel it first, then analyse it.? People I know who learn the tech first seem to struggle more learning to play by ear later.
Mick

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