Bending.. especially 3
David, I started experimenting with bending and feel overwhelmed.
Thanks to you excellent instructions I was able to bend straight away.... My issue is I bend too far.
6,5,4 are nice and easy, good tone.
2 full step is good, as long as I keep the throat at "y-UU" position.
1 is hard and I feel I need a throat surgery to do it, but that's OK, I will get there.
On 3 I almost always go very bottom (3'''). Controlling it to be in the middle (3'') is very hard, inconsistent.
So, the question is - do I try to run before I crawl? How to control it?
In theory the I go lower in bend by moving the restriction point closer to throath, but in my experience I can get 3''' with front of my tongue, like 6'.
The other question is the beauty of the sound. 6 and 4 sound OK, but 3 and below sound like I am choking a poor cat. HarpNinja may show the correct pitch, but I dislike the sound. Is it about technique, or do I need to work on harmonica?
Hello RB. It is not about the harmonica, but your technique. Bending takes years to master, so from what you've said, you're doing very well so far. The control of all the bends on hole 3 is very challenging, but you will get it with time and practice.
You say that you're getting the 3''' from using the front of the tongue, but most likely the back is raining up and you're not aware of it. Focus on not allowing the back to move at all for the 3'. Use the very front for the 3', the middle for the 3" and the back for the 3'''.
I don't know if you've seen this yet. Look at "My 3 draw goes right to the bottom (can’t get the whole step bend)!" here https://www.bluesharmonica.com/faq