shaneboylan
11 posts
Apr 10, 2008
6:24 AM
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I just though I'd start this topic for all the people lucky enough to be U-blockers to voice their opinions about the technique. Personally, I use it for most single note lick playing that doesn't need a tongue block rhythm because i think the tone's better. I suppose the downside is that you can't do high note bends as well.
There's very little about U-blocking anywhere on the net! Do any of the greats U-block?
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Jeff
39 posts
Apr 10, 2008
8:09 AM
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In his biography Blues with a Feeling, Tony Glover claims that Little Walter U-blocked for single notes and tongue-blocked the rest.
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bdr
4 posts
Apr 10, 2008
8:24 AM
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Hi Shane
used the u-block at first because I had trouble getting clear single notes, I had a couple of hohner. I got myself a Lee Oscar and noticed that the holes on the comb were bigger than than the hohners and I had no problem using the lip pursed method. now I have mostly Delta Frosts and Lee Oscars, makes it a lot easier to get the bends
rgds
Bdr
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harpmonkey
9 posts
Apr 10, 2008
11:52 AM
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I can U block. Well, I can make the U shape.
But other than that, it is like holding a paintbrush, just cuz I can pick it up, don't make me Rembrandt. LOL
I just don't have any control, and find lip pursing and tongue blocking gets the job done.
Maybe I can figure out how to get some milage out of it.
If anyone has their methods and procudures, I am intersted!
hmmmmm. Maybe someone wants to start a new website called tounguetips.com
ROFLMAO
sorry, couldn't help myself...
Last Edited by on Apr 10, 2008 11:45 PM
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superchucker77
26 posts
Apr 10, 2008
12:28 PM
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When I was first learning I only used U-blocking. Then I forced myslef to learn how to pucker. Now I mainly only pucker and tongue block.
However, I do use mostly use U-blocking on straight harp songs.
The down side for me is that I have a hard time bending notes U-blocking.
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harpmonkey
11 posts
Apr 10, 2008
4:30 PM
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So now for the first time I was challenged to try U tongue, and found that I can get bends, and transition from tongue blocking to U single hole easier than I can with TB and pucker, so I am going to work on the U thing and see if I can get the muscle memory worked up.
I tried U tongue years ago, before I really knew anything else and thought I was supposed to hold the harp still and move the tonger while keeping the U shape and directing like some one would direct a stream of water from a hose back and forth.
But today, while driving I played with the U thing and found if I use U instead of pucker, I can keep the harp back farther like TB and still get tight on a single hole like pucker, but without changing the placement of the harp.
So now I am tickled, I had just never even thought about it.
Thanks for the inspiration to try something again.
HM
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Warbleman
2 posts
Apr 10, 2008
5:58 PM
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I don't really use a traditional lip purse or U block. I use something I found on the web when I was first searching for harmonica lessons called the deep mouth relaxed position. The harp is further back in my mouth and my bottom lip blocks the holes to the left and right of the note I want to play. More of lip purse than anything but not quite. I have had great success with it. I also tongue block but most of the time only for octaves. Any other "freaks" like me out there?
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Carl_Comfort
12 posts
Apr 11, 2008
5:12 AM
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When I started playing, I mainly U-blocked. It gave strong clear notes so it seemed quite obvious to me. I dropped it when I learned bending the lower holes. Perhaps bending took me quite long to master, because I was trying it U-blocked. Not saying it is impossible, just a complex story for a beginner. I now only use it playing the higher notes, certainly on higher harps.
Actually I must say the term U-block is a bit overdone, I just sort of quide the flow with my tongue. Though I'm not to sure wheter this technique will utlimately slow you down on riffs at the upper end.
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Preston
11 posts
Apr 11, 2008
8:19 AM
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Warbleman,
I use the same method as you just described, but I never realized it was something different than lip pursing. When I first started out, I was obsessed with getting a big fat tone, and John Gindick says the more harp in the mouth, the better. I learned my single note embouchure with the harp shoved all the way to the corners of my mouth in front of the bathroom mirror, and noticed that it was actually the curve of my bottom lip that blocked the outside holes, and my top lip had nothing to do with it. I took it for granted that this was not what they called "lip pursing" until I read your post.
I very rarely use tongue blocking either. I find it hard to bend notes, can not overblow at all, and in my opinion (I said in MY opinion, nobody get bent out of shape)I think when you are letting in a little chord with your tongue it sounds like you can't produce a clean single note. I realize there are times for that sound, but it doesn't seem to fit anyware in the sounds I want to make personally, so I don't do it.
On a side note, I have learned 95% of my harmonica skills through audio CDs of John Gindick and Adam. I payed for a four-session lesson with a local blues harmonica instructor, and it wasn't a real great experience. On the first night, he didn't realize I could already make single notes, and he tried to tell me how to tongue block. I told him that I didn't tongue block, I was a lip purser, and he informed that tongue blocking was the only way to play the blues, he was the teacher, I was paying him for the lesson, and I was to stop lip pursing from that day forward.
I didn't sign up for any more lessons.
Thankfully there's Adam on Youtube.
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eharp
3 posts
Apr 11, 2008
7:32 PM
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i use the "pucker" method with the harp far back in my mouth. when i get the best results the harp is almost at the corners of my mouth. however, i have the harp tilted downward and am using the upper lip to block the holes.
when i switch to tongue blocking i use the bottom of my tongue on the harp.
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genesis
8 posts
Apr 12, 2008
1:40 PM
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Norton Buffalo curls his tongue. in profile its S shaped and hooks under the bottom of the harp. Very weird, I thought at first. I didnt know anyone else did that.
He shows how he does it in his " Bag of tricks video"
Scary how good his is.
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shaneboylan
12 posts
Apr 12, 2008
1:51 PM
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Yea - i was gonna mention that - putting your tongue underneath the harp; that's what i do because it lets you put the harp much further into your mouth (thus > tone)
P.S. Great to see so many posts from all the U-Blockers! The lack of info about it on the net was beginning to make me think there was something wrong or lacking in it as a technique, but if it was good enough for LW, then I don't plan in stopping any time soon!
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Carl_Comfort
13 posts
Apr 12, 2008
3:06 PM
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Yeah the tongue underneath the hole thats excactly what I ment and it does make it somewhat S shaped from the side. The tone is great..just as strong as TB normaly..but it certainly has its disadvantages compared to TB or even puckering I think, just because you cant do tongueslaps or play stacato notes well. But for the higer draw notes it really works great for me.
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waynesnyder
Guest
May 08, 2008
2:31 PM
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This is a very interesting thread, I use the "U-tube" method combined with tongue-blocking for octaves and tongue slaps. Maybe I am just used to it, but I find it *easier* to do bends, including blow-bends and overblows, using the U-tube method. Lip pursing just feels too imprecise, though I am trying to learn it so that I can do triple-tonguing. I am trying to get used to bends with tongue-blocking, but I am totally unable to do blow bends, forget about overblows.
One thing I noticed which seems really different than what I have read on the web is that, although I am not very good at overblows in general, I found it easy to hold overblows for a long time, and even bend them up and down, with the U-tube method.
My theory is that the U-tube method gives you more precise control over the shape of the mouth near the harp, so that you can get just the right shape for overblows.
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geordiebluesman
14 posts
May 09, 2008
3:19 AM
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just for the benefit of us less experienced harpers could someone try to explain just what is meant by U BLOCK
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metalosaurio
3 posts
May 09, 2008
9:43 AM
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Hi everybody. I play almost everything with U-block. it ain't dificult at all and you don't really have to curl your tongue that much neither. just a little curl and the tip of the tongue under the hole your are blowing. About difficult in bending, I haven't found any. I can bend low notes and the different degrees of the 3 hole, and the high notes without much trouble even in the high pitched harps. It's just practice like everything else, sure in the start it was difficult but since I did't knew any other way, it was a thing of practice.
Now I'm adding oberblows to my repertoire, and it's a thing of practicing a lot also; I can now use the 6 OB with confidence, and the 4 and 5 OB in the few harps I've managed to get the right gap (haven't tried embossing or arcing yet).
So, I don't pretend to impress, but to let know everyone starting with u-block that you can learn all the techniques with this embouchure. well.... almost, that's why I'm also practicing tongue block, wich after using u-block it's very natural, since you can jump from one to the other after getting used to where to put the tongue.
I've been playing for almost two years now and practice something like 1,5 hours a day, so it ain't difficult, it just take time.
regards,
Nicolas
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Kimo
2 posts
Dec 27, 2010
7:13 AM
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I am so releaved to know that i'm not the only one!!! I find this technique very easy. The sound is very good since i can place my harp deeper un my mouth. Maybe a little bit more difficult to bend at the beginning. But like every thing else, prctice...pratice....and pratice...
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harpdude61
573 posts
Dec 27, 2010
8:56 AM
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Warbleman...Preston....That is how I play and I call it pursing. The harp is always touching the corners of my mouth, back of the harp is tilted up, and my top lip actually hangs over the back of the harp slightly.
I like this position because you get the fat tone most associate with TBing, very easy to go between single notes, double stops, chords, and splits.....overblows and overdraws come very easy on properly set-up harps, and the opening of the hole(s) is aimed directly at the opening of the throat for more efficient airflow.
Vamping and chugging is easy with this method too. Just the slightest bit of movement and you are playing 3 holes instead of one. In two of my ametuer youtube vids (harpdude61), chugging and Wildwood Flower, this is the method I use and get a pretty good vamping effect without the tongue touching the harp
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6SN7
130 posts
Dec 27, 2010
8:59 AM
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I curl tongue block and I also do left and right side tongue blocks.
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6SN7
131 posts
Dec 27, 2010
9:00 AM
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I curl tongue block and I also do left and right side tongue blocks.
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bigd
274 posts
Dec 27, 2010
9:35 AM
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It's pretty much my exclusive method other than sloppily tongue blocking octaves and slap-percussive things. It can create a very lucid and strong single note. My best. d
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Jim Rumbaugh
347 posts
Dec 27, 2010
10:30 AM
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My first single notes were by U-Block. I was so thrilled, I kept it up until I wore a hole in my tongue and had to stop for 3 days.
@Shane said,"I suppose the downside is that you can't do high note bends as well." Did you mean blow bends? Today, I only U-Block for blow bends on holes 7 through 10. This self taught bending seems contrary to what I have read about blow bends.
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intermediate level (+) player per the Adam Gussow Scale, Started playing 2001
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Old-dog
1 post
Nov 18, 2012
5:36 AM
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I am a u-blocker. I am trying to use the pucker, but when I play by tabs, u-ublocking is easier for me. I looked at YouTube to find information on u-blocking. There was not much information. I posted a short video. You can see it if you would like, go to YouTube search tnysteph or search u-blocking. I am just trying to learn to play the harmonica, as best as I can. I have a long way to go. I having fun learning and I think that is what it is all about.
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Frank
1427 posts
Nov 18, 2012
6:23 AM
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I can easily play the harp U-block style, but for some reason I have no desire to...It must come down to personal preference? It definitely works...
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bigd
396 posts
Nov 18, 2012
6:52 AM
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When I picked up the harp in the Bronx as a kid and tried to emulate Butterfield's clarity my mouth/tongue naturally shaped itself into a u-block. It's been lifelong since except for octaves. It keeps my notes sharp and toneful but I cannot play too fast....The paradox is Norton B. was a u-blocker and could be very fast and precise if he chose to? p.s. Howard Levy once told me I would never overblow because of my u-block embouchure (I'm not an over blower but have not tried to be either). d
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MrVerylongusername
2439 posts
Nov 18, 2012
9:24 AM
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I u-block and overblow effortlessly.
I've noticed that people who don't u-block are prone to tell you all kind of bollocks about how limiting it is.
There's no 'right' way of playing.
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Frank
1433 posts
Nov 18, 2012
9:28 AM
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"I u-block and overblow effortlessly". But, can you u-block and do a side to side trill at the same time?
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MrVerylongusername
2440 posts
Nov 18, 2012
9:58 AM
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shakes & warbles yes, octaves & splits no. I didn't say I u-blocked exclusively.
THERE'S NO 'RIGHT' WAY OF PLAYING
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Frank
1434 posts
Nov 18, 2012
9:59 AM
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Mr. VLUN... I was jus messin round :) Doing the side to side tongue trill seems difficult for most players, let alone with a u-block at the same time - I was hopin you would say that you could! And can't it also be said that there is no wrong way of playing too?
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MrVerylongusername
2441 posts
Nov 18, 2012
10:13 AM
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Not sure of the terminology: side tongue trill being two adjacent notes? or a blocked octave/split notes between?
the former yes, obviously not the latter!
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RyanMortos
1353 posts
Nov 18, 2012
10:12 AM
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I u-block holes 7-10 on diatonic harmonica. I thonk I get at least a slight inprovement on note control & tone with that emboshure. Though even though I can overdraw 7 & 8 on some harmonicas I still am trying to do them u-blocked.
Holes 1-6 it really depends what I'm feeling or trying to do. I frequently use both tongue block & lip pursed emboshure in the same song.
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~Ryan
See My Profile for contact info, etc.
Last Edited by on Nov 18, 2012 10:15 AM
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Old-dog
2 posts
Nov 18, 2012
6:53 PM
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Good to see that there a number of u blocking playters. There was a time that I going nuts because I could not find info on u blocking and I was not getting the pucker. TB did not sound much different than u blocking on single notes. I am working at both TB and pucker but I know I will always use u blocking. Glad I found this forum. A thanks to Adam Gussow.
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bigd
397 posts
Nov 19, 2012
7:34 AM
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Are their any specific lessons for those use that u-block embouchure. In other words that teach people skills "while u-blocking" rather than "how to u-block"? That N. Buffalo tape from long ago did not really do this as I remember...My best. d
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Old-dog
3 posts
Nov 20, 2012
7:06 PM
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I have a request,someone that is good at bending and overblowing with the u blocking, would you please post a how to video on YouTube telling how you go about it. I can bend somewhat by u blocking, but find that the pucker is better at bending. Maybe it is I am just starting to get bending. I have not started on overblowing. There needs to be more video on u blocking on YouTube. Thanks
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MrVerylongusername
2444 posts
Nov 21, 2012
8:07 AM
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I'm not sure there's any value in a video, because everything would be hidden inside my mouth. I think it's worth clarifying that I do not play with a tight cigar tongue curl - it is merely the tip of my tongue that is slightly curved and placed under the hole I'm playing. The air being channelled into the hole: the curled sides of the tip of my tongue not so much blocking the other holes, but rather creating a very tight directional airstream. Essentially it is the same as a proper lip block embouchure, just using the tongue instead of the bottom lip.
I think if you are rolling your tongue into a full tube, you are probably going to find it hard. That, as I recall, is what I started doing 25 years ago when I was teaching myself how to play. Once I started trying to bend I realised that the tip of the tongue was the important bit and the curl could relax a lot, leaving the rest of the tongue able to move to make the bends happen.
If you say the letter G (hard g: "guh") then you'll feel your tongue humping up in the middle. Now start to lift the tip of the tongue up to create a kind of scoop. Your tongue is this shape:
~
Try that with a harp in your mouth and visualise the airflow being sucked down into that scoop.
now emphasise that scoop make it more pronounced and deeper - down bends the note.
Sorry that is about the best explanation I can come up! hope it helps
Last Edited by on Nov 21, 2012 8:10 AM
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TKOTBH
2 posts
May 30, 2013
10:46 AM
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I confess, I am a U blocker! I always wondered if there was a name for it, now I know. I just spray inside my mouth like a fire hose, using tip of my tongue like a nozzle, works for me, plus the ladies love it!
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TheoBurke
419 posts
May 30, 2013
12:33 PM
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There is no wrong way to play the blues harmonica; what is important is whether the technique one prefers works. The most famous u-blocker I can think of is Norton Buffalo, one of the best diatonic players in the world (in my opinion). Given his versatility, his speed and accuracy and his unfailingly melodic signatures, I would think his brilliance would settle the issue as to whether the style is correct or not. I don't u-block myself, but I do know that I use my tongue quite a bit to produce a percussive effect and to produce clean, rapid fire triplits. That is both my strength and my stylistic weakness. I also use tongue blocking extensively for chord work and for attaining octaves. I find it odd that there is so much community controversy over the issue of u-blocking;stranger still are those of us who feel like we're doing something wronging . Stand tall and play 'em as you please, the best way you know how.
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Ted Burke
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheoBurke?feature=mhee
http://ted-burke.com
tburke4@san.rr.co,
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DirtyDeck
225 posts
May 30, 2013
5:01 PM
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I once posted a video on here that showed Levon Helm demonstrating Paul Butterfield's U-block technique to some guy.
Who are you to doubt the word of Levon?
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shadoe42
264 posts
May 30, 2013
9:04 PM
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I tend to go to a U shaped tongue when i go 7 -10. helps me direct the air flow cleaner. I am however working on just being able to use standard lip pursing all the way up and down the harp. also depends on the key. and I noticed this past weekend that when I am playing first position irish type harp I go to the U block all the way around for single note speed.
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Dr. Rev. Mr. Cheeks Miller
My Electronic Music World
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