@cedke007 I'm not good at U-blocking, but there are some folks who play very well with this embouchure. I have trouble bending while U-blocked, but that's just me.
@12gagedan Hey dan, thanks for your vids, I also use u-blocking, can you name a few good players who use that technique, for some inspiration.. And do you also know if it's possible to do different tongue techniques when you use the u-block?
Oh yeah, this is very helpful. Yet I need some help with blues techniques using no hands. I'm an acoustic blues player and play harp with a neck rack. Think Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee rolled into one. There's lots of us out here who want tol sound less like BD and more like Charles Musslewhite or John Popper. Any ideas?
@jo3shb learn to play harp on its own for a while, then learn to incorporate new skills into your rack playing. Work on bends, bluesy licks, playing along with classic blues (Muddy, Lil Walter, Slim Harpo, etc.) and performing with just harp. Check out Paul Oscher and Jimi Lee for inspiration (they're doing awesome stuff with the rack)
Dude. Your Freaking Ahmazing Soon as a saw this i had to create a account to tell you how freaking awesome you are in detail.Keep up the Videos.I've Mastered bending so thanks for giving me somthing else to do.
I'm not even kidding when I say I just spent an hour perusing your videos, and I'm better than I was sixty minutes ago. Your videos are great! Thanks for 'em.
@thedebtsettler the "sound" comes with time and effort. We made a video called "how to play raw, dirty harmonica" last fall. Maybe that one will help?
Agree, neither method is better, they are complimentary. It's like saying which is better, first gear or fourth gear? Work on both, have them as tools to use when playing. Limiting your playing to one method or the other means limiting your ability. That said, I personally think beginners should start by learning to make clean, clear, crisp single notes with a pucker, from holes 1 through 10, then move on from there.
@silvermediastudio I tend to agree, but I think it's because I learned pucker first. Many old-timers learned to tongue-block first, and I bet they'd argue for the order they're familiar with. Thanks for the thoughtful comment.
my problem is almost the same as EVERYDAYDON and im sure many more people ask this. i dont know if you already have a video explaining this or not. but i couldnt find it. if you could please make a video of how to bend TB.
i learned how to TB very well and it seems like im never going to learn pucking. lol atleast for a long time.
@stonedkid69 (read the first part on Everydaydon's comment) pt. 2: put your tongue on the harmonica and don't let the tip move. then, try to make the same "weeee oooooh" sound with just air breathing in. you'll feel like a gutteral throat thing trying to happen. this is sort of what it feels like to tongue block bend. it's like using a different technique to make the same thing (bend) happen.
Hi Dan I'm trying to learn note bending. I recently picket up a harmonica after a 50 year layoff. I Use the tungue block method, never learned the pucker method. My question is can you bend notes using the tongue method? Everything I see online indicated you have to put your tongue tip on the roof of your mouth, and drop your jaw, which then opens all adjacent notes. What am I missing? Thanks Don
@EVERYDAYDON tongue block bending is not all that easy to learn. I learned to bend puckering first, then re-taught myself how to bend while tongue blocking. You get to a point where it doesn't matter which embouchure. the TB bend uses the back of the tongue to change the airflow. you have to keep the tip on the harmonica. That's the extra challenge. It's really hard to show someone. It's more of a "feel" thing. (continued on stonekid's comment. . .)
The mic was pointed more at my nose. I allow air to escape my nose. It's usually not an issue with a microphone cupped, or when I play with my hands over a vocal mic.
WOW!!! That's great. I just bought a Horner 20 C for fun and am trying to learn. Is there some book or basic list of stuff and technique that I can find for Harmonica. Are there teachers that give lessons in Southern California.
This looks like great fun and I really need to find a new hobby.
Some people will say that it is impossible to bend while TB'ing. Those are the people who have not learned to do it. I was lead astray when I was younger. Now, most of my bends come while Tongue Blocking. Thanks for watching.
As a beginner, it does seem like it would be impossible to tongue-block and bend at the same time. In fact, I came to believe that it was impossible until I saw your video. I can't do it because I bend by dropping my tongue and can't keep it on the comb because of that. Do you think you could do a video that discusses this. I'm sure this is simple for you but it's a mystery to me. :-)
As you develop your technique, you find that embouchure is less important than you initially thought. It's difficult to explain, but that's why embouchure switching can be seemless. Your mouth and throat are in generally the same place. The movement of the tongue to bend, is close. The difference is in speed and articulation.
This is a great vid man i have been triing to figure out which way is best myself i started u blocking and thats great for hitting sigle note but i cant bend that way unless you have some advice?
When i first started playing i did exactly the same as you but found as you try to draw on lower or higher holes it was impossible untill i switched to pursing.
You can do this! it is highly unpopular not because it is bad, but because you can get some funky sounds with the other techniques. Its good if you want clear notes(as in loud and with good tone)
Yeah. What FunMan125 said. Don't toss around words like "impossible". I'm working on TB'ing overblows. It's not easy, but it's not impossible either. Thanks for commenting FunMan.
You`re welcome. I posted a comment before but it didn`t show up! How do I make my pucker natural? When I instinctively pucker its fine but when I TRY to pucker it hurts! (I know its a strange problem but i need some help)
Pucker should not be painful. The more advanced one becomes, the more relaxed the pucker embouchure gets. It sounds counter-intuitive, but this is a common thing. It's one of the reasons why one can switch embouchures so easily. The overall mouth position does not change much between the two. Only difference is tongue on vs. tongue off, and a slightly wider opening.
I left you a "thank you message" in your channel for making this video, for some reason it doesn't show up there. Either way, thank you for making this video, it is a informative and reassuring, so thank you for making it.
I have been messing around with the harmonica for a while now and am able to isolate notes and bend while puckering. I want to learn how to tongue block. I get that tongue blocking is to help w/ a single note but am still confused. Lets say I want to isolate the 4 hole where would I place my tongue?
I play with my tongue over the lower holes. So, in my case, the tongue is touching holes 2 and 3. . .maybe 1,2,3. It is perfectly possible and acceptable to play from the other side. Playing from both sides leads to the ability to 'tongue switch'. This is a way to move long distances on the harp very quickly. I cannot really do this, but have heard of it.
Wow this video rocks! You answered my question on youtube answers about drool on the harmonica so I'm really glad I checked out your channel. I've been practicing tongue blocking, but I think I will start to practice both. Thanks!
I absolutely love your instruction! Youtube is where i started with guitar 1.5 years ago and now i give lessons. Youre amazing on that harp and ill definately be checking out the rest of your vids :D
hey hey, ilove your videos man, i literally got a harmonica yesterday and i'm already making some cool sounds so thanks alot. How long does it take the average joe to be able to jam with somone, because thats really what i want to be doing.
thanks a lot for helping beginners out. I myself am playing for like a week now and your video helped me understand more of playing the harmonica. I'm learning how to puck now but it's hard. I read that you should try to relax but my face muscles really get tired using this technique.
You can bend whether puckering to get a note or tongue blocking. The distinction is that pucker is like a whistle embouchure where the tongue is free in the mouth. With Tongue Block, your tongue is actually resting on the comb of the harmonica, blocking some holes while other(s) sound. You can bend with either technique.
hey i only just started to try to play harmonica and ive watched some of your other videos where you say that learning to play single notes is probably the most important thing when playing a harmonica but whether i pucker or tongue block i find it really hard to play one note...
i just started playing a week ago and when i try to pucker its harder for me to play a clear single note i find it easier to tongue block.. is that bad? does it matter which one u start with
While I believe in the merits of both techniques, I don't believe a beginner should be too worried about it. For decades, the "prefered" method was tongue blocking because Hohner put a "guide" with TB in all their harps. Many people learned pucker first (myself included) because there were teaching materials available (like Jon Gindick's book) when we started. As long as you work on building good tone and clear single notes, start with whichever way you want.
It doesn't matter what you start with. It doesn't matter if you do one, both, or three different embouchures. What matters is striving for clear single notes with the best tone you can get. (IMHO) I started pucker, now I'm almost all TB. Could change tomorrow.
hey man u are awesome thanx for all the tips. Im still having a hard time with the tounge blocking but im just gonna keep practicing. I can isolate the notes a little better using the U-tounge technique but i still wanna learn blocking.
I learned how U-blocking can be useful this past weekend at rockers in the rockies. I may start practicing it soon. Good luck, and thanks for viewing.
This is one of the best "how to's I've seen in a while, thanks for posting it. Now I don't feel so inadequate being a pucker player. I'll figure out tougue blocking eventually!!! Keep On Harpin'
The first 3 vids I made were definitely aimed at the more advanced player, however, I've got a few ideas for newer to intermediate players. It just takes me a while to get from idea to actual video.
it be good if u make a video showing the basics of playing, like how to cup it properly, how to tap it out to clean it, and all that stuff cos i got one for xmas and cant find where to learn that stuff
I've been playing using the pucker technique for ten years, i'm only at intermediate level and i've just started lessons with a pro! he is making me learn the tongue block cos he recons it's best if u can do both! Great video man keep it up.
thanks man
memedixie 4 months ago
i'm a beginner, i clean play clear single notes, but i use the U-blocking with my tongue. is this a good methode to pratice??
cedke007 4 months ago
@cedke007 I'm not good at U-blocking, but there are some folks who play very well with this embouchure. I have trouble bending while U-blocked, but that's just me.
12gagedan 4 months ago
@12gagedan ok,, thank you. your video's are really helpful.
cedke007 4 months ago
@12gagedan Hey dan, thanks for your vids, I also use u-blocking, can you name a few good players who use that technique, for some inspiration.. And do you also know if it's possible to do different tongue techniques when you use the u-block?
seyan 1 week ago
Oh yeah, this is very helpful. Yet I need some help with blues techniques using no hands. I'm an acoustic blues player and play harp with a neck rack. Think Sonny Terry & Brownie McGee rolled into one. There's lots of us out here who want tol sound less like BD and more like Charles Musslewhite or John Popper. Any ideas?
jo3shb 6 months ago
@jo3shb learn to play harp on its own for a while, then learn to incorporate new skills into your rack playing. Work on bends, bluesy licks, playing along with classic blues (Muddy, Lil Walter, Slim Harpo, etc.) and performing with just harp. Check out Paul Oscher and Jimi Lee for inspiration (they're doing awesome stuff with the rack)
12gagedan 6 months ago
Dude. Your Freaking Ahmazing Soon as a saw this i had to create a account to tell you how freaking awesome you are in detail.Keep up the Videos.I've Mastered bending so thanks for giving me somthing else to do.
LouisianaBluesBro 8 months ago
Comment removed
jfeeney4 1 year ago
its strange, i seem to be unable to get a clear tone out of the second hole. Its annoying. GGGGGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
MrUnknown07 1 year ago
@MrUnknown07 mine is exactly the same!
dreadedbuddha 2 months ago
Dan, this is GREAT STUFF!!!
neumann57 1 year ago
I'm not even kidding when I say I just spent an hour perusing your videos, and I'm better than I was sixty minutes ago. Your videos are great! Thanks for 'em.
gracewatchesvideos 1 year ago
Great video's...the best teaching ones on here.
I just can't get that "foghorn" sound that you have.
Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
thedebtsettler 1 year ago
@thedebtsettler the "sound" comes with time and effort. We made a video called "how to play raw, dirty harmonica" last fall. Maybe that one will help?
12gagedan 1 year ago
@12gagedan thank you Dan...just watched a few others as well, and I'm slowly getting there.
thanks again.
thedebtsettler 1 year ago
My harmonica must be crap.. I dont sound anything like this and this is the 4th or 5th video I watched
LuckySchaeffer 1 year ago
Agree, neither method is better, they are complimentary. It's like saying which is better, first gear or fourth gear? Work on both, have them as tools to use when playing. Limiting your playing to one method or the other means limiting your ability. That said, I personally think beginners should start by learning to make clean, clear, crisp single notes with a pucker, from holes 1 through 10, then move on from there.
silvermediastudio 1 year ago
@silvermediastudio I tend to agree, but I think it's because I learned pucker first. Many old-timers learned to tongue-block first, and I bet they'd argue for the order they're familiar with. Thanks for the thoughtful comment.
12gagedan 1 year ago
Thanks for the vid!
Drachtauring 1 year ago
hey
first i want to thank you for your great videos.
my problem is almost the same as EVERYDAYDON and im sure many more people ask this. i dont know if you already have a video explaining this or not. but i couldnt find it. if you could please make a video of how to bend TB.
i learned how to TB very well and it seems like im never going to learn pucking. lol atleast for a long time.
thanks again.
stonedkid69 1 year ago
@stonedkid69 (read the first part on Everydaydon's comment) pt. 2: put your tongue on the harmonica and don't let the tip move. then, try to make the same "weeee oooooh" sound with just air breathing in. you'll feel like a gutteral throat thing trying to happen. this is sort of what it feels like to tongue block bend. it's like using a different technique to make the same thing (bend) happen.
12gagedan 1 year ago
EVERYDAYDON 1 year ago
@EVERYDAYDON tongue block bending is not all that easy to learn. I learned to bend puckering first, then re-taught myself how to bend while tongue blocking. You get to a point where it doesn't matter which embouchure. the TB bend uses the back of the tongue to change the airflow. you have to keep the tip on the harmonica. That's the extra challenge. It's really hard to show someone. It's more of a "feel" thing. (continued on stonekid's comment. . .)
12gagedan 1 year ago
Go pro dude!
cerunkus 1 year ago
Really appreciate your insight! Thanks.
session33 1 year ago
I ´m a beginner andI have a "Official Scout " Harmonica in C - Hohner---What do you thing about that harmo?
Thank´s
guillelorentzen 1 year ago
Can you explain more clearly, what you do with your tongue when bending a note while tongue blocking?
obrien135 2 years ago
yes, please explain it better or show us a video where we can see your tang please.....
FastKinoEduardo 2 years ago
Comment removed
cedricleecason 2 years ago
"you clearly cant make it that percussive when tongue blocking" unless you name is dennnis gruenling or kim wilson.. :) good video
jfllr1 2 years ago
when you tongue block, there's a weird airy, moaning, sound. your pucker emouchure is much cleaner sounding.
cozymonk 2 years ago
The mic was pointed more at my nose. I allow air to escape my nose. It's usually not an issue with a microphone cupped, or when I play with my hands over a vocal mic.
12gagedan 2 years ago
WOW!!! That's great. I just bought a Horner 20 C for fun and am trying to learn. Is there some book or basic list of stuff and technique that I can find for Harmonica. Are there teachers that give lessons in Southern California.
This looks like great fun and I really need to find a new hobby.
Thanks and great stuff.
Ghostbrass 2 years ago
Thanks much! I'm a beginner who has been wondering if you can bend notes while tongue-blocking and you answered that question. Great stuff!
ZoneIII 2 years ago
Some people will say that it is impossible to bend while TB'ing. Those are the people who have not learned to do it. I was lead astray when I was younger. Now, most of my bends come while Tongue Blocking. Thanks for watching.
12gagedan 2 years ago
As a beginner, it does seem like it would be impossible to tongue-block and bend at the same time. In fact, I came to believe that it was impossible until I saw your video. I can't do it because I bend by dropping my tongue and can't keep it on the comb because of that. Do you think you could do a video that discusses this. I'm sure this is simple for you but it's a mystery to me. :-)
ZoneIII 2 years ago
As you develop your technique, you find that embouchure is less important than you initially thought. It's difficult to explain, but that's why embouchure switching can be seemless. Your mouth and throat are in generally the same place. The movement of the tongue to bend, is close. The difference is in speed and articulation.
12gagedan 2 years ago
Got some real skills there son! Hope to C'ya next time I'm in SoCal
lennythetunesmith 2 years ago
This is a great vid man i have been triing to figure out which way is best myself i started u blocking and thats great for hitting sigle note but i cant bend that way unless you have some advice?
thanks keep up the teaching
brits73 3 years ago
good work bro!!
bluezdenis75 3 years ago
i can only manage to play single notes by like curling my tounge into an o
are there any benefits to this? or should i focus comletely on trying to play the other ways?
rooferxo 3 years ago
When i first started playing i did exactly the same as you but found as you try to draw on lower or higher holes it was impossible untill i switched to pursing.
grenmastert2 3 years ago
You can do this! it is highly unpopular not because it is bad, but because you can get some funky sounds with the other techniques. Its good if you want clear notes(as in loud and with good tone)
FunMan125 3 years ago
Yeah. What FunMan125 said. Don't toss around words like "impossible". I'm working on TB'ing overblows. It's not easy, but it's not impossible either. Thanks for commenting FunMan.
12gagedan 3 years ago
You`re welcome. I posted a comment before but it didn`t show up! How do I make my pucker natural? When I instinctively pucker its fine but when I TRY to pucker it hurts! (I know its a strange problem but i need some help)
FunMan125 3 years ago
Pucker should not be painful. The more advanced one becomes, the more relaxed the pucker embouchure gets. It sounds counter-intuitive, but this is a common thing. It's one of the reasons why one can switch embouchures so easily. The overall mouth position does not change much between the two. Only difference is tongue on vs. tongue off, and a slightly wider opening.
12gagedan 3 years ago
thanks for the vids
BrothersOfLate 3 years ago
I left you a "thank you message" in your channel for making this video, for some reason it doesn't show up there. Either way, thank you for making this video, it is a informative and reassuring, so thank you for making it.
Fiddlemaniac 3 years ago
tell ya wot, i'll pucker. tongue blocking attempts can take the fun out of tryin to play the thang.
cravenmoorrrrrrrrr 3 years ago
I once swore I'd never play using the Tongue Block embouchure. Then, I changed my mind. Do what works for you, but never say never.
12gagedan 3 years ago
wow. the early videos feature too much playing, not enough teaching. I guess I was learning to teach. . . didn't get it right away. . .
12gagedan 3 years ago
you just had to build up your youtube cred so other harmonica vid makers would respect your skills
whisperingsin 3 years ago
I have been messing around with the harmonica for a while now and am able to isolate notes and bend while puckering. I want to learn how to tongue block. I get that tongue blocking is to help w/ a single note but am still confused. Lets say I want to isolate the 4 hole where would I place my tongue?
jrlosh 3 years ago
I play with my tongue over the lower holes. So, in my case, the tongue is touching holes 2 and 3. . .maybe 1,2,3. It is perfectly possible and acceptable to play from the other side. Playing from both sides leads to the ability to 'tongue switch'. This is a way to move long distances on the harp very quickly. I cannot really do this, but have heard of it.
12gagedan 3 years ago
thanks
Tsutsomu 3 years ago
Wow this video rocks! You answered my question on youtube answers about drool on the harmonica so I'm really glad I checked out your channel. I've been practicing tongue blocking, but I think I will start to practice both. Thanks!
Ben
shaykai 3 years ago
I absolutely love your instruction! Youtube is where i started with guitar 1.5 years ago and now i give lessons. Youre amazing on that harp and ill definately be checking out the rest of your vids :D
CrimsonGrim1 3 years ago
hey hey, ilove your videos man, i literally got a harmonica yesterday and i'm already making some cool sounds so thanks alot. How long does it take the average joe to be able to jam with somone, because thats really what i want to be doing.
Thanks again, Dave
JimiHendrix574 3 years ago
It all depends. You can learn some basics quickly. It takes a lot of practice to really hold your own.
12gagedan 3 years ago
I did were you make like a tunnel with my tongue. Puckering is harder to me.
ShadowAce34 3 years ago
They call that "U-Block" I'm not very good at that, but it's a valid embouchure for sure.
12gagedan 3 years ago
thanks a lot for helping beginners out. I myself am playing for like a week now and your video helped me understand more of playing the harmonica. I'm learning how to puck now but it's hard. I read that you should try to relax but my face muscles really get tired using this technique.
nwLohmann 4 years ago
so is tounge blocking when you block a hole with the tounge and then you bend a note?? im a beginner so i am looking for help
bighitter805 4 years ago
You can bend whether puckering to get a note or tongue blocking. The distinction is that pucker is like a whistle embouchure where the tongue is free in the mouth. With Tongue Block, your tongue is actually resting on the comb of the harmonica, blocking some holes while other(s) sound. You can bend with either technique.
12gagedan 4 years ago
hey i only just started to try to play harmonica and ive watched some of your other videos where you say that learning to play single notes is probably the most important thing when playing a harmonica but whether i pucker or tongue block i find it really hard to play one note...
any suggestions to help me?
AlxTai 4 years ago
i just started playing a week ago and when i try to pucker its harder for me to play a clear single note i find it easier to tongue block.. is that bad? does it matter which one u start with
budlight1297 4 years ago
While I believe in the merits of both techniques, I don't believe a beginner should be too worried about it. For decades, the "prefered" method was tongue blocking because Hohner put a "guide" with TB in all their harps. Many people learned pucker first (myself included) because there were teaching materials available (like Jon Gindick's book) when we started. As long as you work on building good tone and clear single notes, start with whichever way you want.
12gagedan 4 years ago
It doesn't matter what you start with. It doesn't matter if you do one, both, or three different embouchures. What matters is striving for clear single notes with the best tone you can get. (IMHO) I started pucker, now I'm almost all TB. Could change tomorrow.
12gagedan 4 years ago
hey man u are awesome thanx for all the tips. Im still having a hard time with the tounge blocking but im just gonna keep practicing. I can isolate the notes a little better using the U-tounge technique but i still wanna learn blocking.
Luchescobar 4 years ago
I learned how U-blocking can be useful this past weekend at rockers in the rockies. I may start practicing it soon. Good luck, and thanks for viewing.
12gagedan 4 years ago
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brittneyshowswomanxu 4 years ago
Killin' The Dogma! You Rock!
J
jasonricci 4 years ago
Thanks for posting this.
caughtnottaught 4 years ago
Thanks for watching. Don't miss Adam Gussow's videos. I can't stop watching those. He goes by "kudzurunner" I think.
12gagedan 4 years ago
Thanks for the tip. I've duly subscribed to KudzuRunner!
Cheers
ED.
caughtnottaught 4 years ago
This is one of the best "how to's I've seen in a while, thanks for posting it. Now I don't feel so inadequate being a pucker player. I'll figure out tougue blocking eventually!!! Keep On Harpin'
bluezboy2 4 years ago
Really educational and wicked to listen to!
evanslloyd 5 years ago
Scratch my last comment... sorry.
mshin20 5 years ago
Nice video. I agree with Jakester. If you could post a vid for total beginners covering all the basics, that would be awesome! Thx.
mshin20 5 years ago
Yes. Nice video. Could you make a complete beginners video like jakester recommended? That would be soooo helpful. Thx again!
mshin20 5 years ago
The first 3 vids I made were definitely aimed at the more advanced player, however, I've got a few ideas for newer to intermediate players. It just takes me a while to get from idea to actual video.
12gagedan 5 years ago
Excellent vids, made me get out my harp and play along. Good suggestions for a comprehensive harp-workout. Thanks for sharing. Happy new year.
TREXHARMONICA 5 years ago
it be good if u make a video showing the basics of playing, like how to cup it properly, how to tap it out to clean it, and all that stuff cos i got one for xmas and cant find where to learn that stuff
Jakester32123 5 years ago
what key would you recommend for starting .I have a c harp
mongfish 5 years ago
Most people start with an A harp to play with guitar in E.
blogward 5 years ago
your vary good player and teacher. thanks and marryxmas and happy new year
CURLYTONE 5 years ago
I've been playing using the pucker technique for ten years, i'm only at intermediate level and i've just started lessons with a pro! he is making me learn the tongue block cos he recons it's best if u can do both! Great video man keep it up.
nordwest558 5 years ago
Glad I could help. More to come in coming months. I've got some neat ideas percolating.
12gagedan 5 years ago
Thanks again! I'm learning quite a lot from you.
TYSOHN 5 years ago