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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Single note bends.

1 reply [Last post]
Tue, 04/17/2018 - 11:19
neilmichelson
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Joined: 04/08/2018

Is my tongue supposed to remain on the harmonica holes or is it pulled off of the harmonica when bending? I find it impossible to bend notes using the former approach. I cannot do single note draws - arching and pulling my tongue back - using the latter method.

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Tue, 04/17/2018 - 11:31
#1
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello neilmichelson. Yes, you

Hello neilmichelson. Yes, you keep your tongue on the face of the harmonica while bending. The focus is on the humping of the tongue, not moving your tongue back. Watch the bending lesson again, focusing on the wave-like motion of your tongue created from doing the exercise "She Nee Ku." Keep at it, it takes experimentation and time.

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