Blow bending
Sun, 11/19/2017 - 02:26
Hi,
I'm working on blow bending.
1) Are there any study songs for 2nd or 3rd position that use this outside of the overbend series?
2) Any more tips for getting the 10 bend? I have almost full control on 8 and 9, but when it comes to 10... I can bend it down some of the time (e.g. Blowin' The Blues chorus 5) but I can't start in the bend (chorus 6) or dip it.
3) Tips for getting the 8/9 shake bend (The Stretch, chorus 3)? To be honest I still struggle a little with the 3/4 shake bend, but what helped for the 3/4 was the advice to open up a bit and play it a bit dirty so that the lower reed is never stopped. That seems harder to do when the embouchure is small for blow bends.
Thanks
Jeremy
Hello Jeremy.
1) There are not. I wrote one years ago and tossed it... didn't like it. Blows bends are for the most part only going to be used on the IV in 2nd Po... this is where you'll experiment. The 10+ and 10"+ used in Whammer Jammer is also a use in 2nd Po.
2) The key for the 10"+ and 10'+ is to tune your mouth very small... having your tongue very far forward in the your mouth, taking up as much space in your mouth as possible before you even begin the bend. Start with a small chamber (tuned to the reed you're playing) and then move your tongue back and up for the bending process (and the movement is VERY little). Give it time, this is the most challenging bend on the harmonica.
3) Your work on your 10+ bends will help your shake bend. As your mouth learns to control the 10, it will gain refinement on how to control special techniques like the blow bend shake.