For anyone struggling with this technique, just stick with it. I picked up the harp 6 months ago, and have taken lessons since week 1. I’ll admit, my harp never leaves my pocket unless it’s to practice... My instructor has been impressed with the speed of my progression (bending 1-10, accurate single notes, tremolo, vibrato, starting to overblow *ouch), and has now re-directed my main focus towards tongue blocking proficiency. He states, “It’s much much better to learn both ways early on, vs trying to move away from puckering and learning TB’ing later... you will thank me for it.” Fast-forward 2 months of painful noises coming from my harp, and it’s just now beginning to be really fun again. The tonal qualities you can achieve via TB are unmatched. It’s well worth the struggle!
I tried the technique and immediately had a MAJOR improvement on my single notes. All clear except i get a lot of saliva which is gross. But It's amazing!!! Thank you!
Thanks, Liam. Your lessons are excellent! In the video you point your tongue to the left to block holes 1 - 3, so it's the right side of the tongue that's doing the blocking. Is it always so or are there circumstances where it's easier or better to block with the left side, i.e., point the tongue to the right?
Respected sir I AM RESIDING IN KOLKATA WEST BENGAL INDIA AND MY AGE WIIL BE ON 1ST OCTOBER 80 YRS. HOWEVER I HV BEEN LEARNING BUT SOMETIME AT THE TIME OF PLAYING HARMONICA FEEL IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTINUE LONG TIME ( AT A STRETCH) BLOWING. SUPPOSE FIVE OR SIX SAME DRAWING NOTES I HV TO PLAY AT A TIME FALL ME IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION AS PER EXPAMPLE DDD d DD NN HERE D MEANS IN ENG. E MY REQUEST IS SEEKING UR INSTRCTUCTIONS HOW TO OVERCOME THIS DIFFICULTY. WARM REGARDS
thanks for your free lessons. a lot to chew on for me before i take the premium dip. i think perfecting the tongue block and pucker transition is one big thing i'd like to do, and that begs the question: is bending *only* with puckering? or is it doable with tongue blocking, but just takes more practice? i ask because your lesson on bending uses tongue position with (presumably) puckering, so if we're using our tongue to block is it more about using our diaphragm and mouth shape to induce the bend?
Hi Gagan Sidhu, yes you can bend with tongue block too. It's not harder, it's just different. You still have to apply the same technique, it's just that your tongue is busy already so it takes a bit of getting used to. Best of luck! Cheers. Liam
wow i love this technique , playing single notes is actually easier like this . But i feel like the corner of my mouth is getting really dry. Do you guys use vaseline or something ?
Hi realeques, I know some people who use vaseline/lip balm etc but I hate the feeling of that stuff, I just drink lots of water and lick my lips a lot!
Do tongue blockers always block off the unwanted holes, or looking at it another way, only allow air to a single hole? I'm thinking of curling your tongue around a particular note?
Lots of different ways to use your tongue, basic tongue blocking is what Liam is talking about using the tongue to block the holes to one side of the note you want to play. But you can also lift to the tongue to play a chord then put it back - that's called tongue slapping. You can also use the tongue to block the middle holes to play notes either side - called splits or octaves. Curling the tongue round the hole you want to play is usually considered a separate technique called u-blocking.
How does one bend single notes with there tongue already in use? I mean, if you don't purse your lips and only tongue block that is.. That's the biggest problem I'm having at this point.
Hi Paul, it's the same concept, it's just takes a bit of getting used to. You're still trying to shape your tongue to angle the air. I describe as like "hampered cueing" in snooker - it's perfectly possible but it takes some getting used to. I'm planning to make a full course on tongue blocking later this year, including bending :)
I'm also facing the same.. Is there any technique to adjust the the harmonica such that we get less saliva on the instrument..? Or is it a common thing ?
I also drooled more while playing along to Ariara Sfair. I think that had nothing to do with technique thought because I’m no where near close to there, but I am so glad you slowed thst sond down and transcribed it. I want to master THAT and I am a total beginner
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For anyone struggling with this technique, just stick with it. I picked up the harp 6 months ago, and have taken lessons since week 1. I’ll admit, my harp never leaves my pocket unless it’s to practice... My instructor has been impressed with the speed of my progression (bending 1-10, accurate single notes, tremolo, vibrato, starting to overblow *ouch), and has now re-directed my main focus towards tongue blocking proficiency. He states, “It’s much much better to learn both ways early on, vs trying to move away from puckering and learning TB’ing later... you will thank me for it.”
Fast-forward 2 months of painful noises coming from my harp, and it’s just now beginning to be really fun again. The tonal qualities you can achieve via TB are unmatched. It’s well worth the struggle!
Thank you for this I'll keep this in mind
I tried the technique and immediately had a MAJOR improvement on my single notes. All clear except i get a lot of saliva which is gross. But It's amazing!!! Thank you!
I drooled too lol
Brilliant at 65 I'm revisiting something I gave up 20 years ago
awesome, I know some great players who started late
Great. I am also back to harmonica after few years.
I don't play the harmonica but I like your lovely videos. Especially your beautiful british English.
He is amazing, harmonica or no harmonica.
Your should start if your already watching, then the that a bonus!
Sir Liam, may I say I loved the show with the 5 youtube people 2day...and thank u 4 the lesson 4 tongue blocking
Thanks Claud, I had a blast! All the best on your harmonica journey ❤️
best explanation about this was this video
Thanks, Liam. Your lessons are excellent! In the video you point your tongue to the left to block holes 1 - 3, so it's the right side of the tongue that's doing the blocking. Is it always so or are there circumstances where it's easier or better to block with the left side, i.e., point the tongue to the right?
Great question. Sometimes I switch the tongue to play hole 1 but almost all the time the tongue is on the left.
Thank you so much!!!
No worries!
Congratulations on your 100k subs
this was the best about tongue blocking
I'm glad you liked it! Cheers. Liam
Happy 100k subs 👍
Cool. I’m just attempting this for the first time.
You can do it!
I love your lessons. Aqui no Brasil
Thanks Abraão Cabral!
Welcome back Liam! Thank you for explaining tongue blocking :) sound!
My pleasure!
Respected sir
I AM RESIDING IN KOLKATA WEST BENGAL INDIA AND MY AGE WIIL BE ON 1ST OCTOBER 80 YRS. HOWEVER I HV BEEN LEARNING BUT SOMETIME AT THE TIME OF PLAYING HARMONICA FEEL IT VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTINUE LONG TIME ( AT A STRETCH) BLOWING.
SUPPOSE FIVE OR SIX SAME DRAWING NOTES I HV TO PLAY AT A TIME FALL ME IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION AS PER EXPAMPLE
DDD d DD NN HERE D MEANS IN ENG. E
MY REQUEST IS SEEKING UR INSTRCTUCTIONS HOW TO OVERCOME THIS DIFFICULTY.
WARM REGARDS
Can I learn from your course if I can't read music cuz I play by ear? Debbie
Yes, there's no sheet music on the course. It's all tabs and using your ears. I think it would suit you!
thanks for your free lessons. a lot to chew on for me before i take the premium dip.
i think perfecting the tongue block and pucker transition is one big thing i'd like to do, and that begs the question: is bending *only* with puckering? or is it doable with tongue blocking, but just takes more practice?
i ask because your lesson on bending uses tongue position with (presumably) puckering, so if we're using our tongue to block is it more about using our diaphragm and mouth shape to induce the bend?
Hi Gagan Sidhu, yes you can bend with tongue block too. It's not harder, it's just different. You still have to apply the same technique, it's just that your tongue is busy already so it takes a bit of getting used to. Best of luck! Cheers. Liam
wow i love this technique , playing single notes is actually easier like this . But i feel like the corner of my mouth is getting really dry. Do you guys use vaseline or something ?
Hi realeques, I know some people who use vaseline/lip balm etc but I hate the feeling of that stuff, I just drink lots of water and lick my lips a lot!
This may sound stupid but it's my tongue supposed to actually touch the hole?
Yes, it touches the harmonica in order to block the holes that you don't want the air to pass through.
Are all chords consist of 3 notes?
MUITO BOM
BRASIL SAO PAULO SP
Obrigado!
@@Learntheharmonica OLÁ
BOM DIA !
VC TEM ESSE MATERIAL IMPRESSO
PARA VENDA ??
BRASIL SÃO PAULO LAPA
@@marciliocampos4017 Não, chequei aqui e só vídeo aula mesmo. Mas vc pode comprar o curso do link e baixar.
Do tongue blockers always block off the unwanted holes, or looking at it another way, only allow air to a single hole? I'm thinking of curling your tongue around a particular note?
I was wondering exactly the same thing. Please explain.....
Lots of different ways to use your tongue, basic tongue blocking is what Liam is talking about using the tongue to block the holes to one side of the note you want to play. But you can also lift to the tongue to play a chord then put it back - that's called tongue slapping. You can also use the tongue to block the middle holes to play notes either side - called splits or octaves. Curling the tongue round the hole you want to play is usually considered a separate technique called u-blocking.
Hi Kevin, the curled tongue technique is called U-blocking. I have a video on it here: th-cam.com/video/_caU5yFJVmo/w-d-xo.html
How does one bend single notes with there tongue already in use? I mean, if you don't purse your lips and only tongue block that is..
That's the biggest problem I'm having at this point.
Hi Paul, it's the same concept, it's just takes a bit of getting used to. You're still trying to shape your tongue to angle the air. I describe as like "hampered cueing" in snooker - it's perfectly possible but it takes some getting used to. I'm planning to make a full course on tongue blocking later this year, including bending :)
@@Learntheharmonica thank you very much.
Learned tongue blocking before I even heard of lip pursing
For those that are struggling he’s actually talking about your tongue not tung.
That's how they say it where I grew up! Lol
My tongue isn't wide enough to do this. Can't block all those holes, lol.
ПОПРОБУЕМ РАЗОБРАТЬСЯ.
I just can't
Uhm why aren't you holding the harmonica in front of your mouth when you're tongue blocking? You move it to your right
It helps to limit air loss out of the harmonica, making for more effective and efficient sound production (especially when playing amplified).
does anyone else produce more saliva when playing tongue?
I'm also facing the same.. Is there any technique to adjust the the harmonica such that we get less saliva on the instrument..? Or is it a common thing ?
I thought you should get it wet just to keep you transitioning more smoothly
I have a question. It appears to me that we are doing as lot more drawing than blowing when playing the harmonica. Is this so?
I also drooled more while playing along to Ariara Sfair. I think that had nothing to do with technique thought because I’m no where near close to there, but I am so glad you slowed thst sond down and transcribed it. I want to master THAT and I am a total beginner
@@robinrice7097 same here Robin..
I am still trying to figure out the best lessons to learn playing Harmonica..
Tongue block Pengen muntah rasanya😆
The tip is in hole one😂