Tom585
13 posts
Jan 19, 2017
7:57 PM
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When I tongue block, I naturally put the tip of my tongue under the harp. I block the holes, I'm guessing, about a half inch or so back on my tongue.
I know some players put the tip of the tongue directly covering the holes.
Am I alone in my style?
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SuperBee
4435 posts
Jan 19, 2017
9:56 PM
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Dunno Tom. I think I poke it out a bit more on the top end when I'm bending. Mostly for me I am using what Barrett calls the 'top tip'. That is, not the tip on the very end of my tongue, it is slightly curled down and the surface touching the harp is just above and back. I guess I'm talking millimetres.
At the top end though I think I have a bit more toungue curled under.
This may be more a case of the harp angled with the holes facing down than my tongue curled down
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Bass410man
113 posts
Jan 19, 2017
10:07 PM
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It was always my understanding that you were suppose to do it that way, and not use the tip. Also a very light pressure. That the way I always did it, maybe I was doing it wrong all along.
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Mirco
457 posts
Jan 20, 2017
7:35 AM
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Bass410man: I don't know if anyone can say that you are supposed to do it one way or the other, but in the textbook tongue blocking style (as defined by guys like Barrett and Gruenling), it is easiest for different techniques if you use different sections of your tongue. It's not an "always do it this way" scenario.
There are times Barrett will say to use more of the top of your tongue, or use the blade of your tongue.
Light pressure? No question on that.
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Marc Graci
YouTube Channel
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Tom585
14 posts
Jan 20, 2017
7:28 PM
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That all makes sense. Thanks.
My reason for asking is because I struggle with one hole blocks but find two and three hole blocks relatively easy. I'm trying alternate positioning. I'm also primarily a lip purser so that might contribute.
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Bass410man
114 posts
Jan 21, 2017
11:18 AM
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I can say that I used the tip of my tongue for octaves, and things where it would be hard to use the wider part. I think your tongue figures it out as you progress, what and where what is needed, not something you really think about.
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Tom585
15 posts
Jan 22, 2017
8:57 AM
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Thanks, Bass410man. Good point about not thinking about it. I actually didn't think about it much for my first 30 plus years of tongue-blocking. It was when I saw a tongue-block training picture and also heard Howard Levy play Amazing Grace that I got to thinking that players may be blocking differently than I do.
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Philosofy
791 posts
Jan 22, 2017
9:19 AM
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The way I learned, and I can't remember if I got it from Blackie Shakner's book or from Chris Turner. I put the tip of my tongue on the lowest hole I want to block, then move the harp to the left. The side of my tongue then covers the other holes The tip of my tongue comes off that first hole, and I end up blocking it with the side of my tongue.
Last Edited by Philosofy on Jan 22, 2017 10:47 AM
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Killa_Hertz
2124 posts
Jan 22, 2017
9:27 AM
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I sometimes use the top or side. But generally i tongue block the same way i do octaves
And to play only one hole vs an octave, i just widen it to the left, but i still use the tip on the divider. It helps as a reference too.
Edit: actually after breaking down what i do..... i use the tip of my tongue at the the bottom of the Tine (Where the tine meets the reedplate) as a reference. But really use the top of my tongue to block the holes. And When doing octaves i tend to use the tip more in the center of the tine.
But following Mircos comment .. there's no wrong way. Trust your ear. Record yourself, if something sounds off.... break down your technique and find out how to make it sound better.
Last Edited by Killa_Hertz on Jan 22, 2017 10:02 AM
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