I've been playing harp since school got out last june. Since then I have played a gig and practice pretty regularly with an amatuer band, and my high school blues band. I'm very comfortable in jams and would consider myself an intermediate player.

I learned the basics through Jon Gindick's Klutz book and tape which teaches the "pucker" method, meaning no tongue blocking. Through playing and listening to alot of harp playing on CD/Computer, I can tell that most professional harp players tongue block? Is this true? Should I be learning to do this or can I stick with the pucker method. What are the advantages of either method. I've already read the information on the member section about tongue blocking and am looking for further information.

I know Butterfield used the pucker method... who else?

-Nick W.

Because your tongue is not on the harmonica for Pucker Method it is free to create articulations like: ta, ka, da, du, tut, and dut or or double and triple tonguing: ti-ka-tuh, duh-di-luh, etc. These are usefull on repeated chords or single notes. Ta attacks the front of the note and leaves it open. Tut attatacks the front and end of the note and makes for a very short stacatto.

Toungue Blocking alows you to play tongue switching, delayed tongue blocking and unison octaves which is not possible with Pucker Method. Also your tongue is on the harmonica so you can not make articulations with your tongue.

Hope it helps.

peas,