Greyowlphotoart
763 posts
Sep 03, 2011
10:00 AM
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HARP CENSUS 2011
This is an o'fish'ial Government survey for all harp players on the Forum, new and old alike, no exemptions. Failure to comply will result in immediate confiscation of all harps, gear etc.,
Do you Tongue Block, Lip Purse/pucker or U block when playing the hairymonica?
Some experienced players may use all techniques in which case choose your default style.
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Grey Owl YouTube
Grey Owl Abstract Photos
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gene
891 posts
Sep 03, 2011
10:10 AM
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L.P.
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HawkeyeKane
165 posts
Sep 03, 2011
10:13 AM
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Intermediate harpist, lip purser with a touch of tongue block.
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Hawkeye Kane
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harmonicanick
1292 posts
Sep 03, 2011
10:21 AM
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LP & TB octaves
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Gnarly
89 posts
Sep 03, 2011
10:40 AM
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LP with TB octaves. Def not a U blocker--wish I could.
My tongue seldom touches the harmonica when I LP.
But I played a bunch of chromatic today (am using an SCX-48 in C, starts on G, bebop tuned) and noticed lip fatigue, so switched to TB--the more you do it, the better you get.
I am hoping to get some Skype action with Bill Barrett (he owes me for repairs), and noticed from some recent video of a seminar that he TB something fierce--wonder if he puckers too, reckon I'm gonna find out . . .
Last Edited by on Sep 03, 2011 6:45 PM
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Matzen
242 posts
Sep 03, 2011
10:58 AM
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I mostly TB, but I have slowly been introducing some LP for some things, especially for fast runs.
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bluemoose
595 posts
Sep 03, 2011
11:01 AM
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default LP, mix in tongue block
MBH Webbrain - a GUI guide to Adam's Youtube vids
FerretCat Webbrain - Jason Ricci's vids (by hair colour!)
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Greyowlphotoart
766 posts
Sep 03, 2011
11:04 AM
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LP with TB octaves.
Interesting results so far
LP = 8 (7 with some TB)
TB = 1 with some LP
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Grey Owl YouTube
Grey Owl Abstract Photos
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selkentblues
56 posts
Sep 03, 2011
11:14 AM
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Lip purse for raucous blues and bending...
...and u-block for the intricate stuff.
It's MUCH more precise.
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SELKENTBLUES
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tookatooka
2460 posts
Sep 03, 2011
11:16 AM
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Everything except U block. LP more then TB though.
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RyanMortos
1112 posts
Sep 03, 2011
11:18 AM
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Intermediate player as diagnosed by a few forum members & as compared to the 'What level are you scale'.
I Tongue Block, Lip Purse/pucker, & U block almost equally. I notice myself often switch between the 3 on one song.
Though, I almost always
Tongue block - most of what I do on chromatic
Tongue block - octaves
Tongue block - when imitating Rice Miller
Lip purse - scales
Lip purse - my default for diatonic
Lip purse - overblows
Lip purse - when trying to play at high tempos
U block - holes 7 through 10 on diatonic
U block - my attempts to get overdraws (which don't happen yet)
[edit @ some spelling & grammar errors]
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~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Stephen Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
Contact:
My youtube account
Last Edited by on Sep 03, 2011 11:20 AM
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nacoran
4551 posts
Sep 03, 2011
11:19 AM
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LP until I need to TB for octaves or tongue slaps. Lip warbler for warbles. I'll change back and forth too depending on what sort of tone I'm looking for.
Now, who gets any confiscated harmonicas? :)
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Nate
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clyde
139 posts
Sep 03, 2011
11:19 AM
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u block most of the time....it slips into TB (or combination) for vamping, octaves and splits.
some of my harps don't play well high in the upper register unless you lip purse
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jbone
634 posts
Sep 03, 2011
11:19 AM
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lip purse and tongue block.
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http://www.reverbnation.com/jawboneandjolene
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Gig74
73 posts
Sep 03, 2011
11:27 AM
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LP
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Living the dream and learning the blues one little trouble at a time.
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Greyowlphotoart
768 posts
Sep 03, 2011
11:30 AM
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@ Nacoran That would be Government Agent Mr Growl. I think I, er he would be willing to cut a moderator in for a percentage on the deal. Just keep it to yourself though.
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Grey Owl YouTube
Grey Owl Abstract Photos
Last Edited by on Sep 03, 2011 11:39 AM
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Shoulders
80 posts
Sep 03, 2011
11:40 AM
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Tongue block all of my playing;
single notes,
octaves,
chords,
blow and draw bends,
overdraws and overblows
Can't lip purse for toffee....
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YouTube channel; Theshoulders1
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nacoran
4552 posts
Sep 03, 2011
11:41 AM
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Ooo... finally some honest graft!
My lips are sealed.
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Nate
Facebook
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Shoulders
81 posts
Sep 03, 2011
11:43 AM
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I actually don't much like toffee so i'm changing it to chocolate....
Not that i'm saying lip pursing for toffee is an inferior method to lip pursing for chocolate.....
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YouTube channel; Theshoulders1
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FreeWilly
35 posts
Sep 03, 2011
11:44 AM
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Is U-Blocking an accepted form of playing? I have discouraged some players from doing it, because it doesn't allow high speed or bends.. was that a bad thing to do? Am I going to harp hell for this??
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Shoulders
82 posts
Sep 03, 2011
11:45 AM
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I actually don't much like toffee so i'm changing it to chocolate....
Not that i'm saying lip pursing for toffee is an inferior method to lip pursing for chocolate.....
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YouTube channel; Theshoulders1
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groyster1
1352 posts
Sep 03, 2011
12:21 PM
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lip purse with octave splits which is not really TB I cant for the life of me figure how to bend notes whilst tongue blocking
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Fingers
84 posts
Sep 03, 2011
12:29 PM
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I fall into the lip purse/tongue block for octaves category!.
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oldwailer
1693 posts
Sep 03, 2011
12:43 PM
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Yes. . .
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Oldwailer's Web Site
Always be yourself--unless you suck. . .
-Joss Whedon
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Stevelegh
278 posts
Sep 03, 2011
12:45 PM
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TB. Even OB's.
More accurately: Tongue poke. Make a two hole pucker and stick my tongue in the left hole.
I'm sure I could incorporate my technique into my sex life, but the wife isn't having any of it......
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FreeWilly
36 posts
Sep 03, 2011
12:47 PM
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Who Yes? What? And why?
No?
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the_happy_honker
79 posts
Sep 03, 2011
1:04 PM
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TB everything except the 1 hole.
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SonnyD4885
94 posts
Sep 03, 2011
2:15 PM
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t.b. and l.p.
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MrVerylongusername
1912 posts
Sep 03, 2011
2:32 PM
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I U-block almost all of the time including OBs, ODs, and yes, Freewilly, bends and fast stuff. The only time I need to tb is for octaves and splits. I can lip block, but I just don't ever bother- I don't need to, and it is far easier/quicker to switch between u-block and Tongue block
If you think U-block isn't 'acceptable' then you clearly need to listen to more Norton Buffalo and (according to the biography "Blues with a Feeling") Little Walter himself who is alleged to have used the embouchure (although not exclusively).
I do not curl my tongue into a tube - it's a very gentle curl, if curled at all. The tongue does exactly the same as the bottom lip in the lip block - channeling the airflow at its tip. I understand that some U-blockers do fully roll their tongue - I think I might have started that way and the curl relaxed as I became more adept (it's a long time ago).
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FreeWilly
37 posts
Sep 03, 2011
2:36 PM
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Thanks for that Mr.V! I'd never had thought!
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harmonicanick
1293 posts
Sep 03, 2011
2:52 PM
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Good thread!
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Rick Shanks
90 posts
Sep 03, 2011
2:59 PM
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Clean lines single notes LP only for me... :)
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KiwiRick
http://www.richardshanksart.com
Last Edited by on Sep 03, 2011 3:00 PM
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Greyowlphotoart
769 posts
Sep 03, 2011
3:18 PM
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Running total to date
LP = 17
TB = 6
U block = 2
For simplification I have just counted the main embouchure. It seems that a lot of players so far use more than one technique.
Interesting to see the exclusive use of one technique namely, 2 guys TB , 2 U block and 3 LP
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Grey Owl YouTube
Grey Owl Abstract Photos
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Blackbird
165 posts
Sep 03, 2011
3:18 PM
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lip purse almost entirely. Have tried some tongue blocking but it's still an odd sensation. Can U block, but haven't spent much time doing it. Per Adam's defined levels, I'm an advanced beginner creeping into intermediate.
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Jehosaphat
91 posts
Sep 03, 2011
3:31 PM
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LP with occassional TB Octaves.Just can't get the hang of full time TB ing.(yet?)
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kudzurunner
2675 posts
Sep 03, 2011
3:32 PM
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I tongue block and lip purse. They're both so important that I don't consider one or the other to be a default option--except when I'm bending and overblowing, when LP is definitely the default option. I use both techniques in every single song I play and every single solo.
No U-blocking.
Last Edited by on Sep 03, 2011 3:34 PM
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KingoBad
891 posts
Sep 03, 2011
3:39 PM
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I switch back and forth depending on what the song is doing. I don't U block either.
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Danny
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HarpPerL
44 posts
Sep 03, 2011
4:30 PM
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LP with TB octaves.
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2chops
36 posts
Sep 03, 2011
4:58 PM
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Started off as a UB. But now I LP for everything but some octaves. I have been working on and using TB a little more. But LP is my go to style.
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Bugsy
3 posts
Sep 03, 2011
5:19 PM
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I use my lips.
I try to TB sometimes, but I get very frustrated. I can't even get a single hole, or even 2 that I want. I am getting mad now just thinking about it.
I don't know how people do it.
I read U-blocking was bad when I first got a harmy, so I never used it.
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Aussiesucker
893 posts
Sep 03, 2011
5:29 PM
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I use me mouf!
Seriously I lip purse but would like to TB. I TB for octaves but at other attempts the harp fills up with saliva and stops working. I lip purse as I mainly play melodies a lot of which are fast Irish fiddle tunes.
I appreciate the huge possibilities with TB in fattening up the sound by accompanying melodies with chords. But as yet it eludes (frustrates) me.
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HarmonicaMick
300 posts
Sep 03, 2011
5:31 PM
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Never UB - many people are born without the ability, which you probably know already. Only TB when necessary, e.g. 8ves, tongue swishes and tongue slaps. LP everything else.
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YouTube SlimHarpMick
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groyster1
1355 posts
Sep 03, 2011
5:57 PM
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the consensus opinion is there no right or wrong do the best you know how
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Jaybird
264 posts
Sep 03, 2011
5:59 PM
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Primarily LP with TB octaves. Occasional TB for single notes.
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dougharps
97 posts
Sep 03, 2011
10:10 PM
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Mainly lip block with tongue blocked octaves and chords. Can now tongue block single notes, but not as fast. Tongue blocked tone not right yet. I'm working on bending while tongue blocking, with recent signs of progress, but still needs work. No corner switching yet...
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Doug S.
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BronzeWailer
256 posts
Sep 03, 2011
11:14 PM
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LP with a bit of TB on octaves, the odd tongue slap and so on. Trying to incorporate more and more TBing when I can...
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boris_plotnikov
594 posts
Sep 04, 2011
12:14 AM
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diatonic: LP mostly, TB sometimes, usually for octaves, intervals and special effects (tongue slaps)
chromatic: TB exclusively.
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Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
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harpdude61
1006 posts
Sep 04, 2011
12:30 AM
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I LP everything but splits. I am amazed at people like Shoulders that can TB overblows and overdraws.
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Greyowlphotoart
771 posts
Sep 04, 2011
1:03 AM
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@ Harpdude61 Yes, it is very impressive especially from an lp perspective who struggles to do a simple TB draw bend. I have had the privilige of playing alongside him and he is able to produce a marvellous fat tone with all bends ob/od TB'd. Still can't fathom how he does it though!
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Grey Owl YouTube
Grey Owl Abstract Photos
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lumpy wafflesquirt
420 posts
Sep 04, 2011
1:53 AM
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TB virtually all the time.
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"Come on Brackett let's get changed"
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