Skip to main content
Blues Harmonica logo

User Account

Username:*
Password:*
Forgot Your Password?

Visitor Menu

  • Sign Up
  • Sample Lesson #1
  • Sample Lesson #2
  • Student Recordings
  • Forums
Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

bending

2 replies [Last post]
Mon, 03/04/2019 - 04:23
Jaguar44
Jaguar44's picture
Offline
Joined: 11/28/2016

David im trying to bend, when i use lip pursing i can get some movement from holes 1 to 6 but when i try bending when tongue blocking nothing, should i try to develop my lip pursing bending and then try tongue blockin advice please. jaguar44

Top
Mon, 03/04/2019 - 08:57
#1
David Barrett
David Barrett's picture
Offline
ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello jaguar44. You could do

Hello jaguar44. You could do that, but in my experience that trends to not be that helpful. if your goal is to use one embouchure when playing (tongue block), you're better off putting your time in tongue block bending right now. I know it's challenging, but you're saving yourself time (and frustration down the line) by focusing on tongue block bending now.

Top
Mon, 03/04/2019 - 13:40
#2
lhobdey
lhobdey's picture
Offline
Level 6
Joined: 04/14/2016
It may not be appropriate to

It may not be appropriate to chime in here, but I wanted to say that I learned to play harmonica on a different site and it was all lip pursing (no tongue blocking learned) and I leanred to bend there as well. When I started to learn tongue block techniques on this site I found it very hard to learn (re-learn) bends tongue blocking. It took me quite awhile and I remember at one point thinking it was impossible to bend while tongue blocking but kept re-watching Davids instruction and some other youtube videos and with time and hours of practice, I found I really could bend while tongue blocking.  Hang in there Jaguar

 

Top

Sign me up!

Full access to all lessons starts at $20/month! (with annual subscription)

Subscribe

Free Sample Lessons

After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at BluesHarmonica.com.

  • Tongue Blocking Study 2 – This study is for the newer player or the player new to tongue blocking
  • Bending Study 5 – This is for the advanced player looking to improve their bending skills

Contributors

  • Aki Kumar
  • Joe Tartaglia
  • Gary Smith
  • Mark Hummel
  • Joe Filisko

Site Links

  • About David Barrett
  • Accredited Instructors
  • Links
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
Hohner
© 2009 - 2025 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.com