draw bend tone
Mon, 07/21/2014 - 05:44
Hi. I'm able to get all the draw bends with an acceptable degree of accuracy almost all the time, but the tone is often atrocious. I know the bent notes will always have a different timbre than unbent ones, but when good harmonicists like yourself play them they sound sweet and smooth. But when I play, for instance, the 3 whole step bend on a G or A harp, it sounds more like a duck call than a harmonica. Any hints on how to work on this? Thanks
Good morning ungar. You've identified one of the areas of the harmonica that takes persistent practice over time. You're right, it's what separates the great players from just the good players. The key element is relaxation... no tension (or extremely little) in the bending process. In our early years of bending we use muscle, tension, squeezing, etc. to achieve the bend, and all of these create thin, whiny, airy tone in a bend. Relax your embouchure... your lips, mouth muscles, your tongue especially... and all of the auxiliary muscles like your neck, shoulders, back, etc. Know that it's the placement of the tongue that tunes your mouth to the bend you're trying to create, not the squeezing. Best wishes on this, it's a good challenge. Be diligent in your practice... it will take time, but you WILL see improvement as each month and year rolls by.