Hi HarmonicaUK members!
I remember sitting in Will’s flat (one of my harmonica teachers) harp in hand and a cup of tea on the table.
“Is it even possible?” I asked him. “When I tongue block, the bend goes AWOL.”
“ Are players like Peg Leg Sam and Big Walter really keeping the tongue block when they bend?”
His advice was to tongue block everything for 12 months. The ‘Full Immersion’ approach. It clearly worked for him.
Check this out if you don’t believe me. (solo around 2 mins in)
Fifteen years on and I don’t even think twice about fluent bending whilst tongue blocking and tongue block rhythmic playing has become my style.
For those who are struggling I have something to help you.
I’ve put all the my best tips and exercises into a short course.
It’s aimed at pucker players who want to transition to tongue block and existing tongue blockers who want to make their bends more reliable and precise.
This includes anyone who wants to play fox-chases, country blues grooves and low rhythmic styles.
keep an eye out for the release!
Ed Hopwood
The Harmonica Barge
