ortrigger
20 posts
Jun 12, 2009
9:54 AM
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So, I've started to get a little bit of bending action out of the 4 draw. But it's not consistent. Sometimes it bends almost a full semitone and other times hardly at all. Am I doing something wrong? And if so, what can I do to improve?
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Beginning harpist and possibly the only LDS person on this forum. :P
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oldwailer
764 posts
Jun 12, 2009
9:59 AM
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Practice. . .
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ortrigger
21 posts
Jun 12, 2009
10:22 AM
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Okay, besides the obvious. Any good tips on bending from you guys?
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Beginning harpist and possibly the only LDS person on this forum. :P
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RyanMortos
200 posts
Jun 12, 2009
10:32 AM
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What technique are you using to bend the note? I learned one way and do another way now. To do a bend you lift your tongue to the roof of your mouth and pull back slightly till you get a bend. After that you'll want to try the next lower bend, you pull your tongue further back and begin to drop your jaw more & do more of a sucking with your throat. Practice practice practice you'll find the sweet spots.
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~Ryan
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
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Arbite
40 posts
Jun 12, 2009
10:42 AM
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Pretend your Whisteling =) Works for me
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http://www.youtube.com/arbite83
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Blackbird
89 posts
Jun 12, 2009
3:30 PM
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When I was first trying to understand how to bend, I found that the drawings and written word to describe it were confusing, and it finally took a few minutes with local harmonica player/teacher Grant Dermody to show me how easily it can be done. I also recommend Adam's videos for sale on the 3 and 4 bend, because they definitely help refine the technique, if not teach it as well as anyone can. But here's my 2 cents:
Think back to The Wizard of Oz. Get to the Witch's castle. Remember the guards singing as they marched. "Oh-ee-Oh, ee-Ohhh-oh." very deep notes. The important ones are the "Oh"s.
Do that now. Without your harmonica. Sing that same low note the guards were singing. It causes you to pucker and drop your jaw and get your tongue out of the way. And then inhale to varying degrees, depending upon the hole, key, and mechanical fitness of the harp. Try the 1 hole draw and do this. Instant audible results. Start with just an exhale, then drop your jaw to that deep "Oh" and you will bend.
From there, use that muscle memory and idea to work on other holes. A lot of it is to just bend bend bend until it becomes easy, and controllable, and your tone doesn't sound like an injured animal. I'm not even there yet in all situations. It's a skill that happens over time.
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ortrigger
22 posts
Jun 12, 2009
3:46 PM
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Thanks for the tips guys. I'm gonna go hit the practice room now. I'll post back if I get it.
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Beginning harpist and possibly the only LDS person on this forum. :P
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ortrigger
24 posts
Jun 12, 2009
4:32 PM
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Got it. not consistently, but I think I've finally got the worst of it behind me (as far as bending goes, I hope) Ryan, your post seemed to make it click.
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Beginning harpist and possibly the only LDS person on this forum. :P
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scstrickland
84 posts
Jun 12, 2009
5:07 PM
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I'm with OW. Woodshed it. We can explain it 100 different ways but once you have the basic idea, it is practice that makes it happen. If thats not good enough for you, or If you don't have the basics, set up a lesson with Jon Gindick and he will have you bending in 30 min. Buddha will probably do the same, plus teach you overblows and 11 other positions.
Last Edited by on Jun 12, 2009 5:08 PM
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KeithE
10 posts
Jun 12, 2009
6:22 PM
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I thought that the paper Acoustical and physical dynamics of the diatonic harmonica (pdf warning) was interesting because of the way that they achieve bending etcetera just using a syringe to build a variable volume resonating chamber. You can try to imagine adjusting your tongue to achieve the same sort of thing. For me it sort of demystified the process. Also reading about formants and various vowel sounds explains why certain syllables can help.
Anyways for me this helped to break through an initial barrier that I was having with tongue blocking and bends, although I'm still in the learning process.
Also it was interesting to take a quick scan through Teaching an "Invisible" Instrument (pdf warning) to see how various teachers approach lessons including bending.
Last Edited by on Jun 12, 2009 6:27 PM
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Oisin
265 posts
Jun 12, 2009
9:39 PM
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Hey Ortrigger...it's great that you're starting to get those bends, they are what really give you that bluesy sound and all of the advice above is excellent, with practice being the most important one.
There is one bent note you will find really difficult though and that's 2 draw bend. It took me a good six months of practice to get this one and I nearly gave up but just keep at it and it will come.
I just wanted to pass this on to you as it's probably the first "wall" you'll have to get over and it may take a little longer to get. I'm sure the rest of the guys will agree with this...you got to treat 2 draw, bent and unbent, a little differently than all the others.
Just don't let it get you licked...keep at it.
Oisin
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Oliver
57 posts
Jun 13, 2009
6:39 AM
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Can you whistle while drawing in air instead of blowing? Similar kind of thing with a harmonica in your mouth!
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jbrad
3 posts
Jun 13, 2009
10:41 AM
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Hey, I am a beginner and certainly have no place giving advice. However currently I have been able to get a decent bend on the 2, 3 and 4 draw.
I started at first by pronouncing the name "Dewey" and giving emphasis on the "dew" part as I draw. After a few days of doing this it was easy to get my jaw, throat and tongue working in unison to produce the bend with out the word. Just wish I could be 100% consistent.
One observation I could make is it takes well developed throat and tongue muscles to bend. Without sounding indecent, there is one activity that will help a great deal, and it's quite fun. I will leave the rest to your imagination.
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ortrigger
28 posts
Jun 13, 2009
2:17 PM
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jbrad, I catch the drift there. I will say though, I found that it's similar to a technique I use sometimes while playing the trumpet. (and you know what they say about people who play brass instruments. ;)
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Trumpeter, beginning harpist, and possibly the only LDS person on this forum.
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lumpy wafflesquirt
66 posts
Jun 14, 2009
2:01 PM
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LDS???
and what do they say about us Bras players?
==
ex[ish]-Trombonist
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ortrigger
33 posts
Jun 14, 2009
6:28 PM
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LDS=Mormon/member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. They say that brass players are the best kissers.
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Trumpeter, beginning harpist, and possibly the only LDS person on this forum.
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