Graham2010
1 post
Dec 21, 2009
6:53 AM
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Hi Everybody im new to this Forum first of all merry christmas to all.
I have recently in the last few months began to try to learn Tongue blocking correctly instead of just using my Lips to play.
Here is my problem,
I must not be doing this correctly as after each time i play a session using tongue blocking for octaves or single notes my tongue becomes sore and some small blisters will appear this does not happen during playing usually the next day or some hours after playing.
Has anybody else suffered this or is it part of learning tongue blocking.
I Play out of the box special 20 Harps with plastic comb
Any help much appreciated as i dont want to stop tongue blocking i think it sounds great especially the octaves.
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tookatooka
901 posts
Dec 21, 2009
7:04 AM
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Hi Graham2010 welcome to the forum. You may be pressing much too hard with the tongue. You only need to touch the tongue lightly over the holes you are blocking - just sufficient to interrupt the airflow.
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toddlgreene
270 posts
Dec 21, 2009
7:11 AM
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Welcome Graham-Yeah, tooka's spot-on...relax your mouth, tongue, lips and all. Don't think of the block as pushing something out of your mouth-the pressure isn't necessary. Just lightly laying your tongue on the comb enough to cover the holes is all the pressure you need to apply.
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~Todd L. Greene, Devout Pedestrian
"listen to what you like for inspiration, but find your own voice"
crescentcityharmonicaclub@gmail.com
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barbequebob
242 posts
Dec 21, 2009
8:33 AM
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Someone else asked this same question and I agree with the answer, and this also a big problem for those wjho originally started out puckering. Many newbies tend to try and force everything to happen, which is something you DON'T want to do and everything throughout your entire body must be physically relaxed at all times or you wind up getting into a huge boat load of bad playing habits almost immediately.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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nacoran
579 posts
Dec 21, 2009
10:35 AM
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What are the reeds and covers made out of on Special 20's? Wasn't there a thread about nickel allergies a couple months ago? Although if it's just your tongue that's probably less likely. You didn't get your harmonicas second hand from a person with a blistered tongue did you?
The end of my tongue gets beat up on wood combs sometimes, but 20's plastic combs are pretty smooth. My guess is the other guys are right and you are tonguing it too hard.
That's what she said.
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Kingley
558 posts
Dec 21, 2009
10:43 AM
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Sounds like your using too much pressure. Your tongue only needs to be resting very, very lightly on the comb.
I use an almost feather like pressure on the comb and have my whole body relaxed, including my grip on the harp.
It's also important to keep your harps clean to avoid ulcers and other minor mouth infections.
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Bluzdude46
336 posts
Dec 22, 2009
8:31 AM
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I suggest getting a tube of Dr Gussow's tongue and lip cream made with the finest Mississipi red mud and Catfish oils. And keep on woodshedding!!!
The preceding advertisement is not endorsed by Modern Blues Harmonica. The Product has not been tested by the FDA, NRA or any other Federal 3 letter agencies. Any expectations of healing anything are totally subject to individual cases and check with your physician to see if you are allergic to Catfish Oil prior to applying to any Oral, Anal or Topical Locations.
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