A QuickTime video tutorial by Adam Gussow that carefully explains an important basic technique that all developing blues harmonica players must master. For BEGINNERS and ADVANCED BEGINNERS, although some INTERMEDIATE players will benefit.

Tongue blocking is arguably THE technique that distinguishes amateurs from professionals. Although it is possible to play the instrument well with the one-hole-at-a-time lip pursing technique, many of the sounds associated with the idiom and instrument can only be produced by placing your tongue on the harmonica.

This lesson starts at the beginning, showing you how to play a 14 blow octave and a tongue-blocked 4 blow. Then it shows you how to move the tongue-blocked octave (or "split") up and down the harp; how to create a percussive attack; and how to create basic counter-rhythms and other textural variations.

harp key: C

Note: There is NO tab sheet for this lesson.

Running time: 44:22

Another Modern Blues Harmonica production (https://www.tradebit.com)