How to Tongue Block

In this video, I will teach you how to tongue block.
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[@jeemalsoknownasjimhawkins1294]

Jonah: I am so glad that you taught me how to tongue block when I first started taking lessons from you. It was three weeks of torture, but once I got it I never stopped and now I tongue block 95% of the time, PLUS, it is much easier for me to bend notes, which is a really important skill to learn when you are first learning how to play. There are two friends of mine who were just learning to play, so I told them about tongue blocking (since it would be easier to learn when you are first beginning), and yeah, three weeks later (and after much swearing) they now tongue block all the time. Great lesson! The main point is: Do NOT give up! It will be well worth it in the long run if you just stick with it. Cheers.

[@GrilloTheFlightless]

Dangit. I self-taught myself to tongue block a few years ago but keep the tongue on the right of the notes I’m playing. It does work for single notes, but I’ve struggled with some specific tongue-blocking techniques. And now I know why. To the LEFT man! To the LEFT! Thank for this tutorial!

[@allenhawker3911]

I’ve been playing for about a year now. About 3 months in I switched to tongue blocking. A friend/mentor actually talked me into it. I was hesitant at first but after a week or two I was loving it. I’m not knocking pursing as it’s an individual thing and works great for some people obviously but tongue blocking seemed so much easier and a relaxed way to play for me. I love it! Now pursing feels so awkward to me. But it’s what works best for us individually. The harmonica is such a great instrument. I’m hooked!

[@norfolknwhey4787]

TB’ing is something that should be a non-negotiable when learning. So many folks learn puckering, and then spend a fortune on gear trying to get their tone to sound right. Great video 👍🏼

[@JB-rw9xt]

Best tongue blocking tutorial on KZbin.

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Thanks!

[@tnysteph]

I agree this is a good video on Tongue Blocking, but one thing I thought was a goal with Tongue Blocking is to play at times to the left side of the tongue. I am trying to learn to do that. I think it is another trick that belongs in a Tongue Blocker’s bag of tricks. With that said this a great video showing just how cool Tongue Blocking can be. 5 Stars for this one.

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

I don’t do this at all, and I don’t see the benefit, but maybe I’m just not in the know. What does it help you do?

[@tnysteph]

@@HarmonicaRevolution well you know way more than I do, but let’s say you are playing on hole 6 but you want to hit hole 3 you can just more the tongue and get 3 on the left side. It lets you jump about without a big movement. I have heard a few players talk about it. I do not think it is necessary but it could be helpful. This is just an opinion. I truly enjoy tongue blocking. Your videos are very helpful and would like to see you go into more detail on bending with tongue blocking. I am finding that to be my biggest challenge.

[@norfolknwhey4787]

@@HarmonicaRevolutionsounds like he’s referring to tongue switching, which is common when doing a turnaround when quickly going between 1 & 4 draw and blow.

[@georgeobrien1976]

@HarmonicaRevolution How can you teach “lessons” on an important fundamental without fully understanding its applications? Tongue switching man - it’s kind of an important thing…

[@bloodshotgaming7]

If I want to play the good ,bad and ugly without tapping 7 holes need help to play flow lesly

[@p2trivej]

Dear Jonah. I have recently started playing Harmonica, and your videos are very helpful. I have one question. I am a tongue blocker, but lately I just discovered I've been doing it wrong. Instead of covering hole 123 to play hole 4, I only cover hole 12. Due to the shape of my tongue, somehow the wind just bypass hole 3 naturally. I have been playing this way for a while now (almost a year). The single note sounds great for a beginner. My tongue slap sounds ok. I can even bend now. Do I really need to change how I play? I try covering hole 123 to play hole 4, but it doesn't quite work. If there are some future techniques that require me to do it the right way, then I just have to do what I just have to do. Thank you in advance. Always be a fan.

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

Keep doing what you're doing. It's all good! You're doing it right. Generally, you only block one or two holes, with multiple hole blocks for when your extending to play a double stop. I don't remember what I said in this video, but this is my current understanding

[@p2trivej]

Thank you so much. @@HarmonicaRevolution

[@StarQueenEstrella]

Is it possible to do blow bends with tongue-blocking? Or would it be more advisable to use the puckering technique for that?

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

It works fine using tongue blocking. I generally recommend against switching embouchures while you play. It slows you down.

[@StarQueenEstrella]

@@HarmonicaRevolution thanks! In that case, how would you recommend doing blow bends with tongue-blocking?

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

@@StarQueenEstrella it's pretty much the same. I don't think I have a video on it, but you can say "eee-ooo-eee" and that will usually trigger one. Then it's just time spent improving your tuning and accuracy.

[@ixnay66]

I don’t see how you can bend while tongue blocking. Do most people use the pucker method for bending? I can actually bend using the pucker method but don’t see how you can tongue block and bend. Should I not worry about it and just use the pucker for bending?

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

I bend in tongue blocking 100% of the time. It's all in the tongue. Go back to that exercise I mentioned using a mirror in this video, it will help.

[@saschalutz3044]

Is it important to place the tongue on the left side? Feels more natural for me to place it on the right side. Thank you.

[@HarmonicaRevolution]

In my experience, yes. I've worked with students who could not get past the basics with it until they switched sides.