Do blues players use pursing or tongue blocking for single notes, or both? I am a beginner, and initially learned tongue blocking. Now I want to bend notes and I find it difficult transitioning to more pursed in order to bend. Any comments helpful
I am the opposite i learned lip pursing and now i'm doing the David Barrett course and he stresses tongue blocking. I have been able to bend some notes tongue blocking so i know it's possible but difficult it's like starting all over for me, i don't know whether to continue lip pursing or start over. Maybe just start adding as you go along but yes it can be done and i'm also a beginner.
Not to move off course here, but is there a problem with doing both lip pursing and tongue blocking? I often read posts of people trying to switch to tongue blocking or vice versa or comments like above where the question is asked: "i don't know whether to continue lip pursing or start over."
What about flip flopping and playing both single notes and tongue blocked? Isn't it just a matter of sticking the tongue out and then just reeling it back in? Then you could bend by lip pursing and play chords and ocotaves, slaps whatever, then single notes then a fatter tone or whatever, etc. yes? no? ---------- Tommy
Just keep practicing....hours hours hours. I'm finding that all this stuff sort of evolves naturally in the mouth.
For example, the other day I was riding my bike one handed playing some harp. Suddenly, needing both breaks I left the harmonica hanging in my mouth like a big fat cigar. After avoiding the mac truck, I took a breath and got that sweet 9th Johnson uses in Hell hound On My Trail. The exhale landed on the root. A few tongue slaps later and suddenly I was doing that "look no hands" technique.
the tongue blocking technique is usefull to have that slapin' effect ,and it fits really well to the shuffle kind of rythm .You can drawbend with tongue blocking ,it's not easy ,but it's important to be able to do it .Personnaly ,I can't overblow and tongue block at the same time ,in my opinion it's physically impossible ,'cause your tongue is needed to do some overblows.Same opinion regarding the overdraw technique .
Single notes can be played either way. It's good to learn both ways. All the bends are possible tongue-blocked, and just as easy once you get the hang of it. The exception is the 10 blow bend, which a lot of pros even will lip purse for. And there are even people who do overbends tongue-blocked. Even I can do some that way....
The more tools you have in your toolbox, the more creative you can become. It just takes time and practice. And have fun while your learning. ----------
Here is a little video i did - the playing isnt much to write home about but that's not the point i'm putting across here - this is all tongue blocked - i can only tongue block - to my decriment i'm sure!!.
daveb - the tongue block bends definately come with practice - it's quite a revelation when they do - a real ureka moment.
Any comments about the playing would be greatly appreciated - i'm chipping away at it, and loving the journey....
It's probably not the answer you'd like to hear, but I agree with "Jlnx" "Just keep practicing....hours hours hours. I'm finding that all this stuff sort of evolves naturally in the mouth."
I've found I've wasted so much time trying to figure out if I should be tongue blocking or lip pursing. What I do now is switch back and forth. I think certain things are better done pursing and some things are done better tongue blocking. Unfortunately every line you play and everyones lips, mouths and tongues are going different so it's really up to you to figure out what works best. It is best to know how, and to use both technics! Hope that makes sense!
Last Edited by on Aug 29, 2011 1:33 PM