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Forums :: Tip of the Day

High bends

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Thu, 08/05/2010 - 07:36
David Barrett Admin
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Head InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 11/30/2009

When playing on higher-keyed harmonicas you'll want to focus your bending process more forward in your mouth. Use more of the FRONT of the tongue, humping it up more FRONTAL in your mouth. The higher your bend, the smaller the chamber in your mouth needs to be. Grab your D Harmonica. Play a bend on 1, then 2, 3, 4, 5 and then finally on 6. If you're having difficulty with that bend most likely you're either moving past the bend (tongue is moving too far, too fast) or you're humping your tongue too far back and you're not even close to where the "sweet spot" is for tuning your mouth to that higher bend. Make everything small, use the front of the tongue and move your tongue very slowly so you don't pass the bend area's sweet spot. Spend some time on this... this is also very helpful for learning how to develop control on your 3 draw bends and blow bends.

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