Bending on a D harp
Having trouble bending on a D harp - I can bend more or less okay on C and below and am most comfortable on A and G harps, which I've played the most. I'm pretty sure it's my technique which is at fault since I've got two D harps - a Lee Oskar and a Suzuki Bluesmaster - and the problem's the same on both: I struggle to control anything above 2 draw without getting a whistling sound. I can bend 5 draw and 6 draw on lower harps okay, as well as the blow bends up to 10 blow, but for some reason I get this whistling on the D harps. What does that mean? Am I trying to bend it too far?
I find while practicing my tongue block bends that I'm drawing more forcefully to get the bends (more so than when I pucker bend).
Is this normal or should the draw force be pretty even whether bending or not?
This is common at first for anyone learning how to bend (pucker or tongue block)... within time your TB bends will be as relaxed as your pucker. Yes, bending should use the same amount of air as a regular draw or blow (force has nothing to do with it).
Though aggravating, you've already found the problem. You're right, you need to focus on creating a smaller chamber... and tons of reps. Focus on following the curvature of the roof of the mouth more... starting with a blow-bend-like embouchure and moving back very slowly to find the sweet spot for those bends on the D Harmonica. Remember the she-kee-ku exercise in the bending videos (focusing on the she-kee area for this harp). Reps... reps... reps...take a break... reps... reps... reps. ;-)