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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Tongue Blocking Overblows
Tongue Blocking Overblows
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KingoBad
484 posts
Nov 07, 2010
3:42 PM
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In order not to take another thread astray, I figured I'd start a new one.
How many people here who overblow, do it tongue blocked?
I have been perfectly happy switching up until this point, but I find myself wanting to slap into the OB on many occasions. I have gotten the 6ob several times TB but I have not had the patience to keep at it, as the pursing method was doing just fine.
Is it worth the pursuit? or should I spend my time elsewhere?
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RyanMortos
886 posts
Nov 07, 2010
6:22 PM
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I'm sure it can be done. Relearning to bend tongue blocked takes a bit of effort too, from my experience. At the moment I lip purse my OBs, I also lip purse if I'm trying to do fast lines(playing).
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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
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tmf714
320 posts
Nov 07, 2010
6:33 PM
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Dennis Gruenling plays everything tongue blocked-overbends,overblows,bends on the chromatic,everything.
Thomas Fiacco III
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JohnnieHarp
77 posts
Nov 07, 2010
7:21 PM
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>How many people here who overblow, do it tongue blocked?
I asked this on HarpL within the last couple of years. Only one fellow mentioned that he does.
I'm a life long tongue blocker and have recently learned to play non-tongue blocked as well, specifically to be able to overblow. Air leaked out the non-tongue blocked side of my embouchure and I couldn't manipulate my tongue and mouth as freely as I can non-tongue blocked. Non-TB makes the other blow bends much easier as well. For me, both are tonally similar.
My experience and observation suggests to me, that a person's unique facial neuro-muscular/anatomic characteristics/variations (degree of muscularity, muscular control, etc) are highly influential in this. Some can roll their tongues, others can't (genetically driven).
Bottom line, use the technique(s) that works for you.
Last Edited by on Nov 07, 2010 7:29 PM
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mr_so&so
373 posts
Nov 08, 2010
8:14 AM
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I do. I'm not an expert on tongue blocking by any means. I don't generally modify harps, except for some gapping and I can only do the 6ob with any consistency. But I can do a sustained 6ob tongue blocked on my harps that OB the 6. I like staying in the TB emboucher as much as possible. I found that once I could do it LP'd, it didn't take too long to figure it out TB'd.
Upshot, yes, mere mortals can TB overblows.
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Shoulders
20 posts
Nov 08, 2010
8:53 AM
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I do to - i now tongue block all my playing, including overblows and overdraws. The tongue seems to be perfectly capable of sounding these notes. I can get the overblows efficiently and am increasingly getting the bend required to get them in tune.
If we want to throw names around; Joe Filisko tongue blocks (including overbends when he uses them) and he seems to know a bit about the instrument.
The difficulty that wrongly surrounds Overbends is (in my opinion) to do with the reed set up of the harp. Until i spent some time watching Adam do it (Northampton, UK blues week three years ago) I struggled and directed my anoyance at 'the silly unecesssary fad' that was overbending.
I have now invested in some top notch custom harps which makes the whole thing easier but Adam spends about 5 minutes with a penknife and bank receipt.....
There is another thread going about teachers on this forum - i am not of the standard of a teacher but if anyone wants to Skype sometime (James Aldcroft UK) i would be happy to offer what i can.
About five years ago i had a harp teacher who didnt believe you could bend a note using tongue blocking (let alone overbend) and it was a hell of a diffcult journey to leave the teacher and spend time on tongue blocking myself. I still hold some anger at the narrow mindedness of a 'teacher' who says you can't do something.....now i realise it is his problem with his inabilities but as i say at the time it felt very difficult.
I mention this as some of the hurdles we face are about belief, and, tongue blocking overbends doesnt seem like it is popular method so i would happily give some time to anyone wanting to try it out. Hearing someone else do it can open doors that could stay shut.
I feel very happy to have gotten some old crap about a bad teacher off my shoulders.....tnanks for listening
James Brighton UK
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harpdude61
458 posts
Nov 08, 2010
9:10 AM
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I am a lip purser and love overbends. I am a blues guy. To play the blues scale in 1st, 2nd 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th position over the entire harp, at least one overbend is required per position.
I am excited and impressed that some can play these notes tongue blocking. I would love to hear some samples. I am learning TBing myself and love what it is adding to my sound..
I find it hard to believe that someone can control, bend up, wail, play fast, sound musical, fat tone, and timbre as well by tongue blocking vs. lip pursing on an overbend. To overdraw while blocking holes with the tongue seems impossible to me. Maybe you guys have custom harps or something.
Please show me examples.
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