Blow Bending, especially 10'+
First of all, I was TOTALLY coming through the "back door" on the 10-blow bend. So, thanks TONS for the advice to start with a super small embouchure and get bigger. Now, I can "kind of" get the 2 bends on the 10-hole.
However, I encounter a few issues:
1. It seems to leak a TON. I just hear air going everywhere when trying to get the bend.
2. Probably causing #1, but I have to use a TON of air pressure to get any movement on the bend (doesn't seem right).
3. After finally getting the bends with SOME regularity (they stick and jump a bit), then the 10 DRAW reed is almost ALWAYS stuck (no sound at all) and I have to un-stick it.
Any tips for fixing this? Am I doing something wrong?
FYI, this is all on a G or LF harp. Anything higher is almost impossible for me to bend the 10.
Hello Jon. I'm glad that you're making progress. It sounds like all of your issues are from playing too loud/hard (the excessive volume is most likely what's causing the draw reed to slam into its slot). Focus on using the same lip and tongue tension (which shouldn't be much at all) and volume as the other notes you play and bend on the harmonica. The bending sweet spot for that 10+ bend is VERY small, so you're making up for it by overpowering the reed.
P.S., though the excessive volume is most likely what's causing the draw reed to slam into its slot, it's not normal for a reed to stick in its slot... I recommend you ask the HarpSmith how to clear the draw slot. of debris.