Basic Harmonica Lesson: "Bending"

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12gagedan

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C Harp
There are many bending resources available to beginning harp players, so this isn't the most original video. It's just my two cents on the subject.

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Little Charlie and ... ( 4 months ago by 12gagedan)

Little Charlie and the Nightcats. Read below. I think you're the 3rd person to ask.

I am having trouble ... ( 4 months ago by ponypoo13)

I am having trouble bending(surprise, surprise). I am arching my tongue, and whistleing backwards, and following all of the tips on YouTube. But, my bend sounds like it is going a halfstep higher rather than lower. What am I doing wrong?

you rock! I'm ... ( 4 months ago by ejavoric)

you rock! I'm having a bit of trouble bending notes though.. I only got a harmonica today so I'm an utter beginner but i really want to get the bending down. Is it true that you have to wear the harp in first before you can bend? or is that just something i picked up somewhere that i shouldn't have?

i didnt get it.. ... ( 4 months ago by GeoCode6)

i didnt get it..when you whistle backwards should you play the note that you want to reach?

whistling backwards ... ( 4 months ago by 12gagedan)

whistling backwards gets you used to the idea of changing airflow in order to get the bends. Most of the bends are on draw notes, yet most people whistle while blowing. The idea is to break the technique down into parts. First you change pitch while whistling in. Then, apply the harmonica to try and bend some draw notes (holes 1,2,3,4,6 all can produce draw bends).

ok thnx..could you ... ( 4 months ago by GeoCode6)

ok thnx..could you post a video to show us how you can blow bend..whats the difference between bending and overblowing?

Great explanation. ... ( 3 months ago by lennymo1676)

Great explanation. The whistling example really made me begin to understand what's going on during a bend. I'll keep practising, only started three days ago. Single note explanation by J Palan was a big help. Great job looking forward to more of your lessons.

wow this is great. ... ( 3 months ago by pavelnj)

wow this is great. the best one on youtube.

Hello your lessons ... ( 3 months ago by traskis777)

Hello your lessons are realy helping me to learn, but the thing is i am useing u block to get clear notes i just cant use toungh block or pucker, i just wanted to ask if it is virtualy posible to bend while u blocking becouse its not working for. a least for now

I don't think U ... ( 3 months ago by 12gagedan)

I don't think U block would have emerged as a (somewhat) common embouchure if one wasn't able to bend using it. As a pucker player who learned tongue block, I think it's a little harder to learn to control airflow (bend) while the front of the tongue is fixed. Maybe you can try some pucker bends to get a feel for it, then learn to get the same motion while U-blocking. One way or another, you should be able to get it with enough practice.

arrgh! can't bend! ... ( 3 months ago by chansherly212)

arrgh! can't bend! i tried whislting backwards, arching my tongue, lowering my jaw and all that, i'm just playing the same note louder. i bought this really cheap 10 hole harp, are some harps, especially the cheap ones just.. 'unbendable'?? or i'm probably just doing it all wrong?

Some harps are ... ( 3 months ago by 12gagedan)

Some harps are considerably more difficult to bend on. I have a "blues king" that is a real pain. Almost not worth playing at all. Get yourself something like a Special 20 or Big River at least, so you know it's not the harp. Also, there's new videos by Chris Michalek on youtube. He claims his bending teaching methodology is infallible. He might be able to help more.

try to say ... ( 3 months ago by jensrombouts)

try to say HOODLE-DIDDLE whyle sucking, it works!

. . . If Ned ... ( 3 months ago by 12gagedan)

. . . If Ned Flanders taught harmonica. . .
Whatever works, though, right?

Thanks, very ... ( 2 months ago by skinandstring)

Thanks, very helpfull,I should have known this ages ago...lol...keep up the good work, man.

I love the clutch ... ( 1 month ago by krwelter)

I love the clutch analogy. Overall this video really was the only one on YouTube that helped me get a feel for what "bending" feels like. Thanks!

that's awesome. ... ( 1 month ago by 12gagedan)

that's awesome. glad to help.

i just don't get it ... ( 1 month ago by darkwarriorduck)

i just don't get it. how can i say hoodle-diddle while using my tongue to play a sinlge note. it doesn't work for me

nor for I :( for ... ( 1 month ago by StopTheMoti0n)

nor for I :( for second i could

Thank you so much ... ( 4 weeks ago by WDCGator)

Thank you so much Dan for your sincere help and effort at Jam Camp. You really made it come to life for me. Working on Bad To The Bone. Your new pal....Wally

It was a lot of fun ... ( 4 weeks ago by 12gagedan)

It was a lot of fun to get some info out of my head and into people who needed it. I'm so glad I could help. I hope I can do another one sometime. Keep in touch. One of these day's I need to go to LA, and we can all crash Johnny's Sunday night deal. d.g.

THANK YOU! ... ( 3 weeks ago by nhouston4rat)

THANK YOU! Outstanding lesson.

hey man i just ... ( 2 weeks ago by harmonicaNEWB)

hey man i just bought my very first harmonica (same one you were using) like 2 days ago. i must say im a fast learner b/c im already to the point of learning to bend notes. Is there anything else that you can suggest to help im stuck on this part i just cant get the tone to bend at all hardly.i know it takes practice but i like to know every little helpful detail so if you could post something like the mouth positioning or anything that would help a Newb (lol) like me would be great. thanks

cool vid man! thx ... ( 2 weeks ago by glamslam08)

cool vid man! thx for the lesson... next time could you teach us how to play the harmonica part in Aerosmith's PINK song...i'd love to learn it...and plus, i think its a good song for beginners...anyways keep it up! love what your doing bro!

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