Modern Blues Harmonica - tongue-blocking 1 (Gussow.057)

First installment of a two-part tutorial on tongue-blocking technique for the harp player who needs to learn, by Adam Gussow of Satan and Adam.
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For a series of skill-graded video tutorials and tabs focusing on classic blues harmonica repertoire by Sonny Terry, Little Walter, Paul Butterfield, and others, please visit:
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[@Modernbluesharmonica]

Tongue blocking is a way a) of adding tone and attack to single notes; b) of playing octaves; c) of adding counter-rhythms to any sort of playing; d) of adding effect that can't be achieved any other way--various sorts of tongue-flutters, slaps, side-to-side swipes, etc.

[@dansando5804]

I've just given it a go. And in about a couple of goes , the notes sound fatter. Thanks Adam!

[@johnhebert7529]

I have to say you are the first one that has made tongue blocking understandable to me. Thanks for making it so easy. I'm a little more than a beginner and I'm excited to be able to use this method.

[@bpr1717]

I have been trying to learn to tongue block ( after 2 years of only lip pursing) for a couple weeks and have been unsuccessful in consistently playing octaves until I saw this. Your brief tip about putting the harp up to your teeth and relaxing your tongue is what caused the breakthrough for me, now i'm playing octaves like a pro. Thanks for sharing your talent/knowledge, it is greatly appreciated.

[@alextrendler]

Adam, Creeper Creeps Again is one of the most hard hitting, perfect songs in any genre forever. James Cotton Band is transcendental. Thank you for turning me on to great players and thank you for mentioning one of my favorite songs in this video.

[@firegirlemtcop]

I just want to thank you Adam. I'm a brand-new beginner and I'm glad to be learning a proper and easier way to tongue block. I read in some places that you should learn perfect lip pursing before trying tongue blocking. But I'm rather happier to learn both at the same time, rather than having to un-learn bad habits. I love listening to your music, and look forward to learning more from your videos. Thanks!

[@Modernbluesharmonica]

Single notes: yes. Blow bends: yes. I wouldn't have believed this until I started to work on it--although it's harder to control TB blow bends on the high harps (D and above). Overblows? I know you can do this--but then, you can do pretty much anything! It's the other 1.5 million harp players who have trouble.

[@mlzebra]

Hi Adam. Your tutorials are excellent. I was shocked when you brandished the HOOSIER BOY! There is a great story behind the HOOSIER BOY harmonicas that were issued in the 50's by the late great comic Herb Shriner. I am good friends with one of Herb's sons, and actor colleague of mine, and was lucky enough to be given a BRAND NEW Hoosier Boy--straight out of the original box case of 100 harps that were sent to them in the 50's or 60's when Shriner had them made. They had a lot left over after Shriner died tragically in a car accident. Had no idea it sounded so good, as I haven't broken the seal to the box...I just assumed it was a cheap gimmick harp!

[@MichaelSmith-kw5cs]

Love the explanation and the tips. I couldn't figure out how to do this at all from other videos.

[@wiscgaloot]

Cool stuff. I learned tongue blocking back in 1978 or so from a high school teacher of mine. Mr. Leso claims he hoboed freight trains back in the Depression. He didn't know any blues harp, but he played great straight harp.

[@bobbo1946]

grew up watching herb shriner on tv..was a friend of the late bob shatkin...gonna use your lessons to improve...thx

[@dinogoldie9716]

Thank you for this. This is exactly the sort of advice I was after.

[@jakubd3426]

Take a tape. Cover holes 2 and 3 with the tape. Cover hole 5 or maybe 6 too with the second piece of tape. blow and draw through holes 1 and 4 left. This way you can see how to set toungue to not cover too much 1 and 4 and also you can see how wide mouth should be. Then remove tape from 2 nad 3. Try positioning your tongue. Then remove tape from 5 and 6. It gave me very much few minutes ago.

[@yoschieschmitt1929]

Think you Adam,

[@elibensusan]

That was very helpful. Thank you for helping me understand.

[@superagnitio]

I love your stuff, thanks!

[@lighteningboy]

i watch your videos and I don't even play harmonica....you rock dude!

[@Raitaro85]

thanks for the lesson man. i really got alot out of it.

[@simonandrews3466]

London Bridge is falling down played straight is a good little song to get to grips with tongue blocking

[@NicolletIslandSlim]

Adam, thank you. I have played for many years as a lip purser, only now trying to tongue block. It's hard to learn.

[@Modernbluesharmonica]

It's exactly the same technique. To get single notes, you merely spread the left side of your tongue a little further to the left, so that you've covered three holes.

[@tnysteph]

Great video. I get octaves and the slap. I know I need to practice them. I am trying to get the single note by tongue blocking. I am having trouble there. I am a u blocker but I do want to learn to use both TB and the pucker. Your videos are very good. Thank you

[@Modernbluesharmonica]

Fair enough. No hard feelings here, now that you've explained.

[@baadshah0001]

Thanks - this is so so helpful :)

[@123ceebie]

Clear as mud …...like the rest …..all of them unable to describe effectively what to do.

[@myway455]

Thank you so much Mr Gussow!! i'm an italian harper,,and i find your lessons absolutely useful(keep going like this!!),but i have one little think to ask you: you speak well,but,,as u can imagine my english is not so good,so,please,may u speak a little bit slower? thank you again..and.. buon divertimento!!

[@gabrieldopp2041]

2:04 Sounds like Wii Ski and Snowboard

[@DennisGruenling]

Hey man - I believe it's possible to tongue-block and play single notes as well as overblows & blow bends. Wanna borrow my tuner for your harp over there? Anyway, hope you're doing well man - miss seeing ya!

[@tashinorbu5038]

very helpful thanks...

[@tyronejohnson7979]

What's good Adam???

[@baadshah0001]

thanks :)

[@ernal]

Thanks Adam! So am I right in saying the main benefit of tongue blocking is octaves? Everything I have read/seen to date in relation to tongue blocking seemed to say that tongue blocking was just another way to play single notes, with the benefit of tongue slapping. I tried playing single notes tongue blocked and cant bend notes that way. Am I right in assuming now that most tongue blockers actually use it more for octaves than anything else? How do they address the bending issue? Practice?

[@PaulNiehausIV]

Naw man, that's not what I'm saying. You had a "hoosier boy" harp in the video that you said Nat Riddles gave you, and you jokingly said it was the "ultimate white-boy's harp". I've got nothing but respect for you, sir! And yes, I've got an IV after my name, but I damn sure ain't no trust-fund baby! haha

[@more2yalife]

i feel like im slobbering over it when its all the way in my mouth

[@Modernbluesharmonica]

I've never heard of that song. I'm afraid somebody else will need to take up the challenge....

[@dcalstring]

i can't see the video. . . Just your voice. I find this with all your videos. Is it cos i'm viewing through my mobile? I'd be happy if you could do something abt it .

[@theboheeka]

If this is not a channel for beginners could you suggest one?

[@feline223]

could you post tabs for the creeper creeps again?

[@Nkrissz]

how do you do the 6-3 blow at 8:53? i cant reproduce that sound with a C folkmaster. Thx

[@bluezdenis75]

shall I do it?? haha

[@sonne8886]

Si ok..... ma I denti?

[@denni95HM]

Sonne 888 i denti ti aiutano a mantenere la posizione delle labbra

[@Modernbluesharmonica]

Trust-fund babies with Roman numerals after their names, anxious about their own right to play the blues, often make that comment. But everybody projects something different into me, and I'm OK with that. I'm just trying to teach what I know.

[@ryancox4572]

will you adopt me?

[@PaulNiehausIV]

Haha, "ultimate white-boy's harp".

[@superagnitio]

I love your stuff, thanks!

[@rxh1013]

great video. I got it right after you explained the clacking against your teeth and the tongue on the wood. thanks!