I’m a relatively new player and I’m currently on lukes course.we are doing single notes which I have practiced before using free YouTube tutorials.im not bad isolating notes using the pucker method.i have never tried tongue blocking but I stumbled across a technique where I seem to curve my tongue so it blocks either side of the hole I want to play,and I gotta say it works really well for single notes!so I looked at tongue blocking techniques and found nothing about the way I was doing it,all I found was side blocking methods. I would like to know if the way I’m doing it is a recognised,well used method because for me it works great!
I believe that is called a “U” tongue block which is one tongue block technique
there is also splits
the difference is: U block would be used to isolate the middle note and block two outside notes great for switching from a chord to the middle note of the chord
Example (c) harp draw 234 is a G chord if you want to switch between chord and isolate the 3rd (B)
split blocking is the opposite. Used to block the middle and play the outside
example blow 123 is a C chord you would block the 2 (e) and play the 1 &5 (c&g) or 1234 blow and block the 2 & 3 hole to play the c on both end (octave) which is a great sound
Thre are other uses that’s just and example
I also believe there are other types of tongue blocking
Hopefully @Luke will chime in on this or some of the other more advanced players.
As @cloves-fibs0f mentioned, this is called U blocking. I have never personally used it, but it is a completely valid method to play.
The metric you can use here is ‘Does this method let me get the sound I want?’. It’s that simple.
I personally use a hybrid of lip pursing and tongue blocking. I find that I very quickly can change to lip pursing to get clean, loud, and what I consider to be the best sounding single notes. Tongue blocking allows the use of octave splits, flutters, and other techniques that give a really nice blues sound. I personally just find blowing single notes tongue blocked awkward to say the least!
Like you, I also discovered U blocking on my own and found it easy to get single notes. I also find that some notes like -2 or -3 and the high register stay in tune better with U blocking. I’m still a beginner/intermediate so I would expect tune and tone will come with practice. I also think there’s a downside when it comes to bending. I don’t think it’s possible to bend notes while using U blocking. At least in the way I’ve learned to bend, you must retract your tongue so can’t U block and bend at the same time. For this reason, I felt that I shouldn’t become too reliant on U blocking technique. Instead, I thought it best to complete the beginner to boss using techniques recommended by Luke. Didn’t want to learn any bad habits!
Yeah,I totally get what your saying and agree whole heartedly!I also found u blocking made the notes sound cleaner but like you I’m gonna persevere with pursing until I’ve got it right down!
U blocking will be a handy tool later on. Thankyou!
@john.troke Norton Buffalo was a U-blocker so I can’t say it’s not a valid technique. But whereas there’s hundreds of examples of tonguers and slippers, he’s the only u-blocker I’m aware of. It makes learning to bend much harder. U-blocking students I’ve had can really get tripped up learning how to bend. Not saying don’t u-block. Just something to be aware of.
I sort of found it by accident really. I’m working through the single notes module and doing just fine with the pursing method,keeping up well.Enjoying it!
I am fairly new to TB, but I agree the U block is easier for me, and I am not a slobbery mess afterwards lol I would still practice and learn both techniques it may come in handy later. Enjoy!
