bending
Hello David. Please, I have a question, if you allways play whith the method tongue blocking, even if you are bending two or three steps on the third hole? I want to decide in the begining, whitch method to learn (tongue blocking or pursing), and the tongue blocking is better for me to play a single note, bot I dont know, if I can later use this method for technics like bending, as well as with pursing. Thank you.
P.S. your website is great and I really like, how you explain and show the way how to do something
Peter
Hi Dave, I'm having real problems getting a whole step bend on hole 2. Any ideas, I can't even get close. Thanks, Bill.
Hi Dave, I'm having real problems getting a whole step bend on hole 2. Any ideas, I can't even get close. Thanks, Bill.
Hello Bill. In most cases the issue is not having the tongue high enough to the roof of the mouth. Try getting the back of your tongue as high as possible (similar to "K"). Report back with your progress.
Hey Dave, thank you for your advice. I can finally get it, but I noticed that it get harder the higher the key of harmonica. By the way are you performing or giving lectures here in the U.S. this year? Bill
Great, glad to hear.
The higher key of harmonica, the more you need to tune your tongue forward (towards the harmonica).
A good method is to bend your 2 on the A, then move to the Bb (make slight adjustments forward in the mouth), then the C (again, slight adjustments forward in the mouth), etc. This will be easier to find the "sweet spot" for each harmonica.
I'm focusing all my time on teaching these days, but I will be in Trossingen in June (https://www.harmonica-masters.de/en/) and most likely S.P.A.H. in St. Louis in August (spah.org).
Hello Peter.
Thank you, I'm glad that you're enjoying the site.
Yes, you will use tongue blocking for all of your bending, including your deep bends. If it worked for John Lee Williamson, Rice Miller, Little Walter, Walter Horton, George Smith, James Cotton, etc., then it will work for you :-)