easyreeder
49 posts
Nov 29, 2011
7:48 AM
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I've been through a bunch of harmonica instruction books over the years and never came across the term "U-block" until the age of internet forums. But I've never seen a clear explanation of why it's necessary (maybe I haven't looked enough).
I'm one of the lucky ones for whom playing clean single notes has always been easy. I learned to lip-block intuitively when I was young and single notes were never hard for me. Tongue-blocking was harder to learn but not impossible. I learned to do it to get octaves, and I can get clean single notes with tongue-blocking, but it isn't a bedrock skill for me; I'm primarily a lip-blocker and although I'm no Walter Horton I get pretty good tone out of the harp.
What does U-blocking offer that lip-blocking and tongue-blocking don't? Is it just another alternative for folks who have trouble getting single notes, or does it enable techniques that can't be accomplished by other methods?
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Michael Rubin
352 posts
Nov 29, 2011
2:02 PM
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For me U blocking really upped my sound on high note blow bends and chromatic single notes
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Tommy the Hat
471 posts
Nov 29, 2011
2:09 PM
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TB and LP is something anyone can do physically if they choose to practice it. Isn't U blocking done by curling the tongue which is a human gene thing and not something everyone can do?
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Tommy
My Videos
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shadoe42
88 posts
Nov 29, 2011
2:15 PM
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I have been known to U block to get strong single notes up top. Something I am trying to get away from actually as it is not a smooth transition from my standard lip pucker to the Ublock.
Although the main thing I use U block for is to check to make sure its my technique and not the reed that is the problem on some of my harps :)
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The Musical Blades
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Joe_L
1651 posts
Nov 29, 2011
6:37 PM
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I used to U block the chromatic. I could get clearer single notes that way until I got better at tongue blocking. I first heard the term in an instructional book by Blackie Schackner in 1979.
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The Blues Photo Gallery
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FMWoodeye
65 posts
Nov 29, 2011
6:46 PM
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Easyreeder, I'm in the same boat as you. I've never had any problem getting clear single notes. I, too, use tongue-blocking for octaves, but then I'm not in love with octaves anyway. I'm avoiding analyzing what I do to get clear notes. It was just intuitive for me. Chords, too. The sound just "comes out." BUT...I do use the U method for spitting contests as it facilitates longer ranges and concentrated payload.
By the way, not meaning to sling spam, but thanks for the service, answering of questions and your indulgence as an eBay seller of harps. We've spoken on the phone, and you have been very helpful on those occasions.
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Reverend Jimmie Jive
15 posts
Nov 29, 2011
8:24 PM
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I U block because I can get clean single notes.. and can easily stay oriented to the melody note and yet switch with no harp or mouth movement to a tongue blocked rhythm chord or note interval above or below the U blocked note or to a split on each side of it, both above and below, and alternate immediately back to the U blocked (actually not U BLOCKED, but U selected to play and sound) note or one adjacent to it...
Also because it is natural to a mediocre sax player and terrific lover like myself to use my tongue in such manner LOL
Last Edited by on Nov 29, 2011 8:26 PM
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easyreeder
50 posts
Dec 01, 2011
7:21 AM
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@FMWoodeye, you must have met my benign doppelganger. Someone using the same moniker, selling harps? Not me, I'm afraid. However, I accept all the praise on his/her behalf!
And I agree wholeheartedly: A cherry pit goes farther when you U-block! Although I think in that case it would be more of a U-chute...
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FMWoodeye
73 posts
Dec 01, 2011
11:30 AM
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@Easyreeder
Oh, sorry, Dude. Yeah, there's a seller on eBay with that user name. Good guy. But then again, I'm sure you're a good guy, too.
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