netman
5 posts
Jul 09, 2010
5:32 AM
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Hi Guys: Will someone explain what is the position of the lips and tongue when doing LP? I am learning and find that I get single notes by using the tip of the tongue moving from hole to hole. Don't even know if this is TB or if I should try another style? Thanks for your help.
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toddlgreene
1518 posts
Jul 09, 2010
5:43 AM
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You are tongue-blocking, it sounds like. Everyone has a different approach and embouchere, whether they TB or LP. You may find the tone gets deeper if you put the harp a bit deeper in to your mouth and learn to use more of the side of your tongue to do the same. I do both LP and TB depending on what I'm playing.
The TB/LP thing gets argued and debated here ad nauseum. There is no right or wrong, so don't sweat it and just play and enjoy playing!
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
Last Edited by on Jul 09, 2010 5:57 AM
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MrVerylongusername
1122 posts
Jul 09, 2010
5:58 AM
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It sounds to me like you are U-blocking.
One of the main misconceptions about this technique is that you actually need to roll your tongue. You can achieve things that way, but it isn't necessary, just channeling the airflow with the tip of your tongue is adequate.
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toddlgreene
1520 posts
Jul 09, 2010
6:04 AM
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As VLUN says, U-blocking could be what you've got going on, although I didn't read that you were curling your tongue-just using the tip(probably against the inside of your mouth opening)to get single notes.. Again, if you're doing U-Blocking, it isn't wrong. Some folks play the harp upside down-whatever works.
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Crescent City Harmonica Club
Todd L Greene, Co-Founder
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N.O.D.
14 posts
Jul 09, 2010
6:19 AM
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Hi Bro it sounds as though you are U-Blocking forming your toungue in a U shape chaneling air from hole to hole Buffalo Norton was a U-Bocker,
i started out as a U-Blocker but my tongue would sit on the under side of the comb,
Lip Puresing you are more or less forming you lips in a whistling emboucher blowing air into the hole you want to sound the Tongue should be sitting just below your Bottom lip or behind your teeth directing air
over your flated tongue,
Tongue Blocking your tongue should be sitting on the comb of the Harmonica your mouth covering 4 holes,,
the tongue sits on 3 holes to the leaft sounding out hole 4 to the right,
ie, mouth covers holes 1234 tongue Blocks 123
allowing air to stream into the 4 Hole hence the
term Tongue Blocking,
now Im a Tongue Blocker of course I'm going to say learn to TB 1st but this is the Hardest method to learn,but is most benficial to learn this method 1st then LP second but thats your choice
i can only offer my reason it will be easyer to learn LP later down the track because you have all ready masterd the harder method 1st,
the easy way to Learn TB sounds funny but give my funny method a crack,
stick your tongue outside your mouth,,
hold your Harmonica looking at holes 123,,
place the harmonica gently on the tip of your tongue
now retract your tongue inside your mouth untill the Harmonica touches your lips Lightly,
now blow gently you should be sounding out hole 4
practise getting a clean single blow draw note 1st then practise 1st position scale to get fluid
then try a normal 12 bar boogie woogie for fun:)
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Cheers big Ears
Last Edited by on Jul 09, 2010 5:51 PM
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groyster1
201 posts
Jul 09, 2010
6:28 AM
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@toddlgreene
appreciated your comment there is no right or wrong in whether you lip purse or tongue block when I first bought a marine band over 30 years ago the insert taught tongue blocking method after hours trying to play swanee river I tried lip pursing and got it straight away I tongue block only on octave splits
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netman
6 posts
Jul 09, 2010
4:33 PM
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Hey Guys: Thanks for all your help.I'm going to keep trying the styles you suggested and stick with what feels best.
Hey NOD: Your TB suggestion seems to work. With pratice I think I will get it.
Thanks again to everyone.
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