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Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

How to maintain bending ability

1 reply [Last post]
Sun, 04/24/2016 - 11:01
marcgraci
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Teacher 9Level 10
Joined: 07/15/2013

As a player develops in ability, how can they best maintain good bending skills? Just playing songs will probably not be enough, since not every song requires precision bending. Is there a single exercise or study song that can be practiced a few times a week to keep bending sharp?

I think "Half Steppin" is a good practice of bending, but it doesn't incorporate blow bending. Maybe sometimes play "Half Steppin" and sometimes play "Blowing the Blues"?

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Sun, 04/24/2016 - 17:52
#1
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Those are both very good

Those are both very good choices Marc. In general this is a non-issue though. Bending is at the core of great playing and the longer you play/study this instrument the more bending you'll use.

What will be a good idea is to use different keys of harmonica often. I remember in my first decade of playing that when needing to play a key of harmonica I haven't used in a long time (especially and very low or high key), I had trouble controlling my bending. Luckily this is easily fixed... make your go-to jam harp (maybe the one you warm up with or carry in your pocket) a different key each month.

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