Bending by ear
Tue, 01/10/2017 - 12:01
David,
One of the great things about harmonica is that we only have to learn a song in one key to be able to play it in all keys. Yet when if comes to bendng on harps in different keys, there are some subtle changes of embouchure required to be in tune. Is any of this fine tuing supposed to be done by using our ears, or should it be our goal to practice every song in multiple keys so we can mechanically hit each bend accurately?
Thanks,
Dan
Hello Dan. One picks up muscle memory from experience on the different keys of harmonica, but in all cases we use our ears to tune those bends as we play. You don't have to go as far as playing every tune you learn in all keys of harmonica (though it's not a bad idea), but you do want to make a point to play your common keys of harmonica (Low-F, G, A, Bb, C, D and F) regularly enough to have the skill to deal with their bends (especially the extremities, like the Low-F and standard high F). One simple fix is to make your pocket harp (the one you cary around with you at all times) a different key of harmonica each week.