Transferring from pucker bending to tongue blocking bending
Hi All
I'm a returning harmonica player after about a 15 year break.
I used to play with a Pucker (unless playing a Octave etc)
I'm having trouble bending wi the tongue block. I find that I can pucker bemd still with just a few weeks of practice after the long layoff,however I am finding to get the bend to initiate with the tongue on the harmonica is proving more troublesome.
I have managed to bend the draw on the second hole on the A harp but just can't seem to get my tongue/mouth/jaw into the same position.
Any help from anbody who has had a similar issue with the swap from Pucker to Tongue Block?
Many Thanks
Richard
Hi there,
exaclty one year ago I was in your same situation. It was the hell.
Try, try and experiment, it took me not more than 3 months to get on it and now i play 95% tongue blocking with full draw and blow bendings. Don't be frustred but persistent, it will come soon.
Thanks for that chaps
Since posting I'm getting a bit better, I can now get the 2 hole bend first step and the odd second step bend.
I think that being able to pucker bend helps in that I can pucker bend the hole and hear the note tone on that specific hole and then try the tongue block so I can try and get the correct sound.
Im getting closer to them, it's only been a few days practicing the tongue block bends so I'm are I'll get it a bit more over the next few weeks :-)
Hi All
Just a quick update.
Im getting a few bends more now :-)
got the 2 hole half and full step and can get the 3 hole hole step and 1 1/2 step band,but I find the 1/2 step hard to get without jumping straight past :-/
im not sure if being able to get the bends by previous pucker bending is helping or hindering my learning speed. Although to be fair I'm only on my 6th week back at it so can't expect miracles. ;-)
I've also got Harp Ninja on my iPad sI that's helping a bit.
I'be got to really try and concentrate on not trying to bend the reeds with too much air or pressure of my tongue on the face of the harmonica. Easier said than done however lol
Thanks
Richard.
Go ahead! sometime you will be tempted to ask something here and before ending to write the post you will have already fixed the problem :) It means....work with calm!
Start your practice on 4 draw with a G Harp. Although Daivd explains it as well as anyone, it is a process of changing the size of the air chamber by humping your tongue up and moving the hump back and forth until you get a change in tone. This assumes you can already get a good clean tone using the toungue block technique.
After you get that first bend you will ask your self, "why was that so difficult." Don't give up. You will get it. Everyone who practices does eventually!