Harp Talk: Tongue Block vs Pucker

[tnysteph]

Good but what about u-blocking? Norton Buffalo used this style. You can pull your tongue back to do some articulation or you can go to tongue blocking if needed. No one talks about this style of playing.

[Mueleski]

@tnysteph Well not everyone can do the U-tongue thing. My tongue just won't do it but my wife and some of my kids can. If you can do it and want to add that to you repertoire then you should. 

[troyS307]

That fart was a little squeaker. lol

[Mueleski]

@troyS307 Its been officially declared as a chair squeak!

[Academic1Researcher]

Thank you ami very helpful

[blackstone1111]

thanx for the videos but pls do more videos....

[AkKid907]

0:54 Did you fart?

[Mueleski]

@AkKid907 I had to go back and listen to what you were talking about, I did notice a sound around the time you listed which I'm not sure what it was--maybe the chair I'm sitting on. I'm sure it wasn't a fart or it would have been about an octave lower tone and would have been of a longer duration!

[AkKid907]

@Mueleski Hahaha good to see people still have a sense of humor!

[congospork1]

jesus christ tongue blocking is so hard, i feel like im solving a puzzle with my tongue,

[toxicshrimp2009]

hey im sometimes wen doing pucker method i hit another hole only sum times will practice fix that?

[VVista]

i hope so :(

[MrThompson17]

Great! 5 stars!

[asmterdam]

hi...i am an spanish man who is traying to learn how to play the armonica.I have brought a Honher blues harp in C...and all the infirmation i find is in english.hahah...Thank you for these videos

[juanarm]

comprate una marine band en la las blues harp no valen verga

[GermanHarpist]

And thanks to you for the best words to this debate. Nice Harping!

[Pigglies]

Excellent video! You make me want to learn your little wedding song there. :)

[BruilRok]

i'm having trouble with both pursing and blocking but i guess practice will solve that. I just dont know if i'm doing it right.

[Mueleski]

Yes, practice will make it all easier. You need to get in touch with your harmonica and your mouth--not trying to sound all Zen like or anything, but what I'm trying to say is get comfortable with the harmonica. Find out how it feels to get a single clear, un-choked note out of the harp and how it differs from getting a nice chugging chord. Most importantly, play and have fun doing it!

[bighitter805]

so how do you tongue block i am a beginner and i am confused please help??

[Mueleski]

Its very hard to explain it, but the best I can say about it is that you block the right side of the harmonica holes with your tongue and your cheek blocks the rest of the hole on the right. The tongue covers about 2-3 holes and your cheek acts like a wall on the right!

[12gagedan]

Great video! Harmonica players have no excuse not to learn better technique with so many great videos out there. Thanks for the mention, and thanks for helping spread the word that there's more than 1 way.

[Mueleski]

Thanks Dan for the comment.

[Keenum]

Great tips! I have just started playing the harmonica, and am having a little trouble "puckering" on just one hole. Hopefully it'll come with practice. Any tips for a struggling puckerer?

[Mueleski]

First of all, yes it will come with practice and second of all, relax. We need certain tensions and mouth formations when we play but don't overdue it and strain or force it. I have subscribed to a few very excellent harmonica players and I would advise you to look at their videos, especially Adam Gussow. Keep on Harpin.

[Keenum]

Thank you! I have noticed that I have become a little better in just the past two days at puckering. Again, thank you for the video and advice!

[Erikjr21]

thank you

[s4t1v4]

great man, like your words

[Mueleski]

I appreciate your comment.

[Mathermatic]

Your superb mate. Keep em coming

[Mueleski]

Thanks for listening.

[campbell166]

another great lesson....please keep posting....thanks

[Mueleski]

Thank you for the kind words.