Lesson 3 Learning Old Time Harmonica

tongue slaps, splits and timing
For those that's interested in old time folk harmonica. Come and join in on the only folk harmonica forum I know of folkharmonica.f... All my lessons will be posted there.

[@leviaaron500]

I really appreciate the explanation of the tongue slapping. I can see how this kind of technique is useful with any type of harmonica playing. I also play the bass, I will continue to work on sharpening my timing. Thank you for making this info so easy to find!

[@1seesaw2]

Thanks Levi. I am glad that these tutorials are helpful for you.

[@banjoemily3852]

Playing around with tongue slaps I was so excited to figure out that a single note followed by a tongue slap can mimic a clawhammer banjo rhythm pretty nicely. Suddenly my Cripple Creek is sounding pretty good on the harmonica!

[@1seesaw2]

Great news, I'm glad you are learning and that these lessons are helping you.

[@jamesmichael8849]

I learned to play harmonica with my dad when l was a kid. He was retired Navy chief...radar...but he also played in the navy band. We played Old time harmonica...Old paint, skip to my Lou, Turkey in the straw, Beer barrel polka, etc. Before learning blues etc. We played for hours but l never recorded his stuff. I regret that. But l'll tell you, l found your stuff and imagine l am hearing him play again. I had left the harmonica for a while but am now playing it full time again. Thanks for the great videos
....they are aeesome.

[@1seesaw2]

Thank you very much for listening. I am very pleased that you like my videos.

[@Timber-Ace]

I never figured out the tongue slap to play the way my grandpa played... It was always impressive to hear the complexity he'd introduce. .. what, exactly, does the tongue slap with this technique? The harp? A specific note? The back of your teeth?

[@1seesaw2]

Hi and thanks for watching the video. The tongue slap is done with the tongue hitting the holes on the harmonica. This stops the sound for a split second making the note very short. It takes practice just like any learning situation does.

[@Jack-fs2im]

wow didn,t know there was a bonus 4th thanx

[@1seesaw2]

Thanks for watching!!! I think I have 6 or 7 total tutorials on this old style of playing. I hope they help you.

[@Jack-fs2im]

@@1seesaw2 Ok will try to find 6 and 7.thanx again

[@1seesaw2]

@@Jack-fs2im Here ya go Jack: ua-cam.com/video/t6W9aquHUII/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/Vcyibt_v0CA/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/-WHkwgpVxRM/v-deo.html

[@kirkgombos4078]

Hey sarge Kirk here from west Virginia I've been playing now for seven years just recently I've been playing a lot of blue grass on backing tracks and because of that I've really began dappling in old time mountain music being from west Virginia that music is
In my blood ... I've always been a pukker player never really practiced to much on tongue blocking but I can see you to if you want to play the old time stuff .... When I do tongue block I tend to use the side of my tongue to block out notes ... How do you postion your tongue to the side or do you use the front tip of your tongue to block out notes ??? I love this old time pre world war two style that you play keep making the videos there great ... Thank you sir !!!!

[@kirkgombos4078]

Sorry pucker ...

[@1seesaw2]

Hi Kirk. I"m glad you're learning the old style. I use the front tip part of my tongue to block. I think I show that in lesson one, Good luck and if I can help you in any way just let me know,

[@amanjyaku]

Does a tongue slap take a chord down to one note (or an octave), or does it take one note and stop it?

[@1seesaw2]

Hi Keith! It takes a chord down to one note and quickly stops it. It can also take it down to a split (octave).

[@VisboerAnton]

Nicee

[@1seesaw2]

Thanks so much for watching the video!!

[@robinrobyn1714]

I stopped watching. He never explained how to execute the technique.

[@1seesaw2]

Yes I did. I explained it how to start. You can't learn it in one lesson.