HOW TO TONGUE BLOCK & TONGUE SLAP HARMONICA LESSON Will Wilde

[@willharmonicawilde]

Learn harmonica with me! Join my free online course: www.willwildeharmonicamasterclass.com

[@claydobbins9342]

In the 60's to 70's, whenever you purchased a Hohner, which was the only harp I knew of any quality, any and all models, there was a small instruction sheet with a couple of songs, such as, "O' Susanna", and instructions on how to play the instrument by tongue blocking. Lip pursing was not mentioned as an option, and I didn't know there was any other way or technique until I met a guy about '72, who was a lip purser. I thought that was awesome. Because I had been tongue blocking for so long, I couldn't get the hang of it right away, and just continued to play my way. Once I practiced and learned lip pursing, I started lip pursing exclusively and basically abandoned tongue blocking. But because I was so good at tongue blocking, I never forgot how, I used it to isolate tones/notes to perfect my lip pursing when figuring out a song. Now I can play both methods very well and use them interchangeably on some songs. Learning to lip purse opened a big door for me because there was a particular sound I was trying to achieve that was not/is not available by tongue blocking. It was like magic and a light coming on all at the same time.

[@pablopablo6987]

Thanks Will, I am trying to learn all the tongue blocking skills. I watch Adam Gussow, David Barrett and others but I seem to always come back to you to actually learn things.

[@stuffnuns]

You and Ronnie Shellist are the Best KZbin instructors for blues. Great tech, great tone, and clear instructions. Thank you.

[@willharmonicawilde]

Thanks!

[@rickanderson886]

Thanks man, I have a long way to go but with guys of your talent helping us new-be's out, the path will be a lot less frustrating. Thanks.

[@silkroad1201]

I bet you're a lot better now than when you wrote this comment!

[@zuriwagner5566]

Beginner here. Great playing and great lesson. I really appreciate the very clear and simplified instruction. Thanks!

[@stevenbolin7688]

100% agree on the pursing method is the way I learned, I was on Facebook and asked if anyone knew of any good kick-butt harmonica songs and your name popped up, so I immediately went to one of your videos lazy by Deep Purple and was blown away by your skill

[@frankie555]

I've learned both lip pursing and tongue blocking. I found that with lip pursing I was able to get a deeper sound, because I was able to move my tongue out of the way to have a lot more open space in the back of my mouth and throat, which gives a deeper fuller sound. The vamping I taught myself with lip pursing, by first opening my lips wide enough to play through two or three holes, and then moving the left side of my lips slightly to the right to cover off the holes on the left side, while keeping the right side of my lips in position. Thus narrowing the gap from two or three holes to one hole.

[@jimijamesrogers4167]

Thank you for describing tongue blocking. My style of playing is similar to your. I don't like tongue blocking. Every time I try it just messes me up. Been playing 45 years and I keep learning more every day. Happy new year and best wishes

[@angelagilroy2955]

That's really helpful and super clearly explained. Thank you.

[@lwinlwin8995]

You are my harmonica teacher. You are very nice. You can create to play nice blues with your idea on harmonica. I respcet you for sharing and teaching. brother🙏

[@rickilynnwolfe8357]

I been practicing all I get is my German Sheppard howling at me 👍 you Rock Will thanks brother great video

[@bruceboom7378]

A german shepherd doesnt howl he commands

[@person893]

I have a chiweenie that tries to howl when i practice but he can't quite figure it out, but it's cute when he get its though lol

[@rickilynnwolfe8357]

@@bruceboom7378 hahaha yes they do mine is good at both 😊

[@rickilynnwolfe8357]

@@person893 it is cute 🤗

[@Profibasher]

Lol. I have a German wirehaired pointer as my gundog and he is howling at me too....

[@SmileFreestyle-hx2rc]

I've got a few hobbies and just added this one in. It's already becoming tied with first place. Nothing relaxes me more man

[@willharmonicawilde]

Cool. You might like to check out my free beginner course: www.willwildeharmonicamasterclass.com

[@gastelda]

Excellent demonstration. I self-taught and played with lip pursing, as you did. I eventually added tongue-blocking for the Chicago blues vamping, learning about this from seminars and David Barrett's instructional package. Although you and Jason play amazingly fast and clean with lip-pursing, Sugar Blue has said that he tongue-blocks exclusively, and he is blazingly fast also.

[@rian8024]

I've watched a lot of other videos about tongue blocking and this was the one that helped me the most. Thanks, dude!

[@willharmonicawilde]

Glad to hear it!

[@stevenwalker2558]

Not a bad teacher by a long shot.I learned a lot from you,Tomlin and Liam as well as a few others I lip purse pretty good and my tongue blocking is starting to make sense thanks to you guys again thank you!!!

[@cincinnatipedalsteel4347]

Yeah when lip pursing the tone has more “cut” to it and is warmer when tongue blocking for sure. When I started playing and before watching lessons I instinctively “U” blocked. I don’t know ow how useful that it but that’s the way I did it.

[@dmagni420]

Thanks so much for sharing your technique bro! i finally got!

[@PLT123]

Thanks Will. Im glad to know you can get as good as you are with pursuing. Im not a fan of tongue blocking. Cherrs!

[@flaviob.1571]

You are a great teacher Will

[@xNick13x]

Hey Will, would you put out a video of how to play this 12 bar jam you played at the beginning. I’m a beginner and would be excited to be able to play that. Thank you. 👍🏻

[@tnysteph]

Good lesson & good stuff to know. I am a bit of the odd guy, well I think maybe, you see I started out as a U blocker. It just came easy to me to get the single notes . I did a video on u blocking on KZbin. I do want to learn more on TB and pucker. I have been playing about 4 years. Started at age 52. A late start but having a ton of fun with the harmonica. Enjoyed this and will be watching more of your videos. Please do more "How to" lessons. Thank you, Tony Stephens

[@ginnybear65]

Thank you for all your helpfull tips just started watching these. I tried a couple of your tips while playing . Very cool

[@reecejobling206]

Hi Will :D Thanks for the quick response! Are you breathing in & out when vamping or only breathing out at fast pace?

[@willharmonicawilde]

@@reecejobling206 it's ALL inhale

[@drtone]

Wow, Thanks...super helpful. I switched to playing lefty/upside down, and my tongue is programmed to go the wrong way, and struggled to tongue block, but now i can use your style, i prefer lip pursing as well. Wow, and thanks again!!!!!!

[@LindaMarks-cd3ww]

1/15. GOOD AFTERNOON, WILL. VERY INTERESTING! YOU ARE THE EXPERT!

[@joesmith-wc5qh]

You are amazing, thank you so kindly for helping me get back to the music. I'm buying a Fender tube Champ x2 on your recommendation, respect.

[@reecejobling206]

Awesome tutorial! Thank you Will

[@bogdanalexandrustefan5395]

Thank you, man! You're awesome 😁👍

[@SeekerFor1000]

Your good. Great trick for getting the tongue block technique

[@EIYH58]

Yeah.... Seydel harp the best !

[@stuffnuns]

eiyh58, I switched from Hohners last year, and haven’t looked back.

[@Danzeeman]

Hi Will, and first of all thanks for all your good tips & lessons, appreciate! Question on the vamping using the pursing tech, how do you create that (missing tongue) slapping sound? My attempts only result in some kind of alternating wane between the single and the chord... Cheers, Dan

[@willharmonicawilde]

Thanks Dan. Try using a K ("kuh") sound from the throat on the chords to make them shorter/more percussive.

[@tapanmukherjee338]

Many thanks..I prefer puckering over tongue blocking since I can change my rids faster.

[@patriciawhite1936]

Nice!! Very helpful

[@boystone]

Great video! Much prefer your pursing method of vamping!

[@luisalcides9690]

Vc é féra!!! Traduz português....quero aprender tong blog....

[@tubikris]

You're really good keep em coming

[@Azloukoum]

Hi Will ! two questions : - What do you do with hole number 1 ? There is no hole left to cover with the tongue ! - When you bend a note, do you switch to lip purse or stick with the tong blocking position, because I find it harder to make a sweet sound tongue blocking?

[@willharmonicawilde]

Personally, I switch to pucker to bend notes, but you don't have to. With hole 1, some people just put the tongue on the bit of wood/plastic to the left, but some people switch and block the holes to the right. I personally don't tongue block holes 1,2 and 3 at all, I only do it from 4 up.

[@markmainwaringmm]

hi will, have you looked at doing any lessons for boogie chillen by hooker n heat

[@flaviofalconio]

using lip purse, how much inside of mouth would sould the harmonica go to get a good embouchure? thanks from Buenos Aires

[@willharmonicawilde]

The inner wet part of the lip should be in contact with the cover plates. Your lips should cover where the numbers are written on the cover plates

[@flaviofalconio]

@@willharmonicawilde thank you so much!

[@flaviofalconio]

Muchisimas gracias!

[@santosh18901]

Loved your video !!!

[@willharmonicawilde]

Thanks!

[@nuclearhotel2172]

Great tips. Ty

[@FWCaptain-kv6sm]

you're really inspiring me.thx

[@willharmonicawilde]

Awesome, thanks man.

[@silkroad1201]

You look just like one of my coworkers named Ian. He's one of the coolest guys I know

[@tamborelconejo]

good explanation

[@nigeltitchener9849]

great stuff Will. Can you do When the levee breaks,led zeppelin, sometime? Thanks

[@dikshantawarunghang5617]

Were did you learn it?

[@edoardomontanari5604]

thank you will really interesting!

[@suelyreis-arteefotografia6359]

Uau! It´s so very very good. Thanks.

[@trendingtechnmore]

Well explained, thankyou

[@willharmonicawilde]

Glad it was helpful!

[@BONECOSHERMES]

Obrigado pelas aulas, excelente.

[@mickypaterson8883]

Thanks bud

[@tylerferguson5906]

Hey Will, I've watched a few of your video's and you are super easy to follow along and learn from! Any tips on making this sound better? I'm trying to get it down lip pursing and my vamps just don't sound quite as good. I should be starting with my mouth over 123 and then narrow it to just the 2D right? Should I be articulating it in any way?

[@fabiopierro6271]

How can i learn the melody you play in the beginning?Is there a tab?cheers

[@FAHRENHEIT451JL]

Pretty sure thats jr walker fella. Most of his riffs will be based on the progression will uses at the beginning

[@willharmonicawilde]

Hi Fabio, I don't have tabs for this but if you check out my lesson "How to Play a 12 Bar Shuffle in the Style of Big Walter Horton" I teach something very similar: kzbin.info/www/bejne/noLFZWR-fbR1hrs

[@Subhabrata]

Thanks a lot, bud.

[@jayb1425]

Love it. Keep it up... or low down.. whatever

[@chrisyoung4651]

Thank u will ✌️

[@Harpmanis]

hi from chile mensaje thanks you tutoriales its good

[@brianholloway9465]

Nice

[@wwiech2]

Specjalnie se zęba wybiłeś !

[@jakubd3426]

Tongue should be relaxed or tensed?

[@willharmonicawilde]

The tip should be slightly pointed, but not really tense

[@pedropinon2553]

Hey... Just to say that, though I'm heterosexual, I think I'm fallimg in love with you everytime I see your tutorials (or even listen to your albums... I have bought them all)... Keep that way, Will.

[@willharmonicawilde]

Hahaha Thanks!

[@andyperlow961]

thank you

[@FWCaptain-kv6sm]

What’s your go to harp?

[@willharmonicawilde]

Seydel 1847 silver

[@FWCaptain-kv6sm]

Have you ever got a bad one?

[@willharmonicawilde]

@@FWCaptain-kv6sm Never had a bad 1847, no. Some people like to close the gaps down a little bit on them, but for my playing style the way they arrive out the box is perfect! They last me WAY longer than brass reed harps too.

[@FWCaptain-kv6sm]

Will Wilde do you generally do your lessons online in C?

[@willharmonicawilde]

@@FWCaptain-kv6sm Not always, it depends on the song or technique I'm teaching. For one to one lessons on Skype I will just use a C if that's all the student has.

[@SimplicityForGood]

have you tried the Seydal Chromatic Non-Slider? do you think one can play quick as well with that one? and do you think regarding what you mentioned in this vide that if we get a Non'Slider Chromatic that we can still do chord playing, vamping, tongue blocking techniques on the Seydal Chromatic Non-Slider just as well or that is only going to be good for playing clear tones and melodies with? We really like its' style and sound, but want an instrument to play well generally on of course for harmonica training.. thanks for getting back when you got some time! Really like this channel, you got a really pedagogic approach ! kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5fIlJeBnd-ciK8 the Non-Slider Chromatic from Seydal as an example..

[@joaopaulocesar7210]

1-How to choose which pitch to use in each song? one must have notions about other instruments, to know the tone of the song and choose the right harmonica? or do you have to always ask the band? 2-gaita and compass, when you play the harmonica you're counting the bars, to know the time to get in and out? 3-gaita and improvisation, is there improvisation wrong? is because it seems that in the blues of you plays a note it fits in the ear, but it looks like they could fit any other note, if it was not that one played. and when it fits a note of ear is out of range? 4- gaita and evolution, I learned many techniques used, but I packed, I can not play or improvise anything, but I know do almost everything that the players use in the songs, how can I get past this phase? Is decorating music?

[@Leonardoparap]

A dica que eu dou é estudar teoria musical. Você até pode aprender a tocar apenas de ouvido mas conhecimento de harmonia vai fazer falta depois (ou seria agora?) Sobre os compassos (bars) o treino deve vir de percepção e uso de metrônomo ou um acompanhamento de bateria Pra improvisar também é necessário saber teoria musical, ficar usando apenas a escala de blues o tempo todo fica cansativo pra quem escuta, talvez por isso você esteja pensando que qualquer nota da escala de blues funcione, ela não gera nenhuma dissonância se for tocada nos I IV e V graus do tom mas se você usar qualquer outro grau não vai funcionar já que você sabe as técnicas tenta tocar com alguma base de blues, isso vai te ajudar na percepção (solfejo) durante o aprendizado

[@loublackler2]

when you play do lift your tongue off when you play or not

[@Zasu42]

Cool

[@steve3150]

OMG!! how fast can you play? lol . Brilliant lesson

[@peterwolf8149]

Hah, who needs tongue blocking if you can use the Will Wilde special technique!

[@TryToFight1]

bravo!

[@ivoncruz3441]

I cant do it,it is so difficult

[@mikhail6787]

Круто

[@Rouxloubac]

Love❤️

[@lihuensaavedra6752]

2:54

[@abelotus3089]

Key = G

[@Brianfilms]

oh yeah ♫♪

[@renatod898]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@steveb9525]

"The Regulator" by Clutch. I am sure they would be fatter, I mean flattered.

[@Ciorstag89]

I am a beginner and I can't use tongue blocking still can't shape my tongue :(

[@sagnikpaul1811]

Don't worry about it. You are gonna use lip pursing for almost 90% of the time. It will be easier to get it after a couple of months.

[@stevenbolin7688]

I've been playing for 37 years but find the tongue blocking method difficult

[@willharmonicawilde]

It takes a lot of practice, but it does eventually get easier to the point where you won't have to think about it.

[@kevs7018]

God tongue blocking is really hard, I can't do it

[@FAHRENHEIT451JL]

My freaking harps never been so wet.

[@willharmonicawilde]

Hahaha

[@SayedAlaa-sf4nb]

🤣😆

[@bobbyward1207]

Can't you bend notes better to when you're pursuing.

[@willharmonicawilde]

It's easier to bend lip pursing because you can use the tongue to help out more.

[@yuridanylko]

Personally I don't think either way is nescesarily better. I don't think it has much to do with skill.

[@itsallclover]

tongue slap? really?

[@willharmonicawilde]

Yeah. It's a pretty common technique.

[@SayedAlaa-sf4nb]

That's funny 😅

[@danwilliams8695]

I cant even spell tongue

[@danielabela4015]

Awesome brother

[@kimmartin7024]

Nice