Learn Jazz Harmonica: Should you play tongue block or pucker?

Pucker/Lip pursing vs. Tongue Block: Which is Best for Jazz Harmonica?

Short answer: it does not matter.

Longer answer below:

If you're new to playing the chromatic harmonica, you might be wondering whether to use the pucker/lip pursing technique or tongue blocking to get a single note. In truth, there is no definitive answer. Initially, focus on what feels most natural. However, ultimately, learning both approaches will make you a very versatile harmonica player.

I get this question almost every week and to be honest - in the long run - learn both - in the meantime - just start with one of them. It also depends what you want to express - do you want to play mostly single notes, or do you want to include octaves and double stops?

For diatonic harmonica players - same thoughts apply. However - I am not able to tongue block and overblow/overdraw on the diatonic. It sounds really bad. So on the diatonic I am mainly a pucker player for single notes. For chordal, octave and double stops I of course tongue block. 

Start with what feels comfortable

In the beginning, choose the embouchure that feels most natural to you. Whether it’s pucker/lip pursing or tongue blocking, your comfort level will help you develop a good sound and intonation on single notes. Often you notice pretty early on what feels best.

Additionally, consider what your harmonica heroes use—if you admire a particular player, studying their technique can be a great starting point. If you don’t know - ask around on different harmonica forums or Facebook groups. Or try to study them on Youtube. Often TB players bite deeper on the instrument while pucker players lower their jaw more and of course shape the jaw/lips forward.

Benefits and differences

Each technique has its advantages. With the pucker technique, you can use your tongue more freely for articulation, adding expressiveness, tremolo, staccato and rhythmic variations to your playing. On the other hand, tongue blocking allows for deeper placement of the harmonica in your mouth, which might result in a bigger tone for some players. Additionally, tongue blocking enables corner switching, double stops, chordal playing, and split notes which are unique playing techniques that really expands the harmonica sound. But you can also mainly play pucker and the move into double stops, octaves splits really quick. I do this all the time on both the chromatic and diatonic. 

It's ideal to learn both pucker/lip pursing and tongue blocking for maximum versatility. With practice, you'll naturally incorporate both techniques into your playing. Now, you might be thinking, "If it's so important to learn both, why do so many legends focus on just one?" While some players become proficient in both, many legends have indeed specialized in one of the techniques.

For example, Toots Thielemans was a master of pucker/lip pursing technique, while William Galison excels at tongue blocking. Some believe that tongue blocking is slower, but I have heard incredible speedy playing by tongue blockers. However, there are also masters like Larry Adler who fluidly switched between tongue blocking and pucker. This demonstrates that the idea of one method being universally superior is a myth. The key takeaway is that learning both gives you the most options, even if you eventually gravitate towards one as your main embouchure.

What do I use?

Regarding chromatic harmonica - I am mainly a pucker player. But I have always been using TB octaves, splits and double stops. Last 7-8 years I have been incorporating more and more TB single note melody playing and adding on the tongue block corner switch technique. I took some lessons from Robert Bonfiglio on that and it really opened up another world for me. I notice that big jumps, leaps and pedal note playing comes out a lot smoother compared to pucker - but at the same time I don’t have the same clarity and direction in the tone as when I play pucker - I get a softer, very legato sound with TB corner switch. This is great in many ways but not always. If I want more power and direction, I play pucker.

Right now I am working a lot on moving between pucker and tongue block single note playing fluently. Often I do it in the same line - first notes on the left side of my mouth then ending with a single note played with pucker. Super smooth and cool feeling. 

On the diatonic as I wrote in the beginning I mostly play pucker for single notes. 

I am also a guitar player and for me pucker/lip pursing vs tongue block discussion is like “Should I play guitar with a pick or should I play finger style guitar?” If you have time and energy - learn both! It opens up the possibilities of the instrument a lot; this allows for broader expression, and different timbres and melodies can be played with endless variety.

Summary

Ultimately, there is no right or wrong choice. Start with what feels comfortable for you, find the technique that minimize saliva issues, and let your body adapt naturally. Over time, experiment with both techniques and incorporate them into your playing. 

BTW - I have a video lesson on this on Youtube, be sure to check it below.
Have a great weekend!
Filip