Bending help

Technique
1

Who has the best learning to bend lessons? I did Luke’s lesson which I enjoyed of course. I’ve also does Harmonica Barge. I can pretty bunch bend but it just doesn’t sound very good. I know I need to practice more which I am doing but I have no clue if what I am doing is right or not. Which unfortunately is what I get for no in person lessons near me. Any videos people recommend that really pushed them over the hump?? I certainly am determined but it often times sounds like a dying duck. My wife even said tonight “sounds like something’s dying over there” :rofl: Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is me ending 4 and then trying 3

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2

I found just playing using the bend it better tool. Keep at each note going through blow blowbend draw drawbend and make sure your on the note. Boring but it works. Maybe pick a tune with a couple of bends and keep it in hour practice regime https://www.harmonica.com/bending-tool/

3

Hi Dave! you’ve gotten it down. I’m a bend-beginner myself, I’d suggest this first:
(in combination with Luke’s amazing bend-it-better tool, of course)

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4

Great little tool!

5

@toogdog thanks! It is pretty boring just sitting there bending over and over but I will keep at it!

@yuriythebest thanks for the video I will give it a go!

6

Its one thing to be able to activate a bend but another to play them well enough to improve a tune. The sad realization that really getting good at bending will be a years of practice situation. Its sounds like you may be forcing it a bit and may well be moving through the bend. The sweet spot is not very large. C A 2 tuners will help you practice something like a second step bend on the -3 but playing it and holding it for seconds are two very different levels. Sounds like you will get there. Me, I am not sure as the only ones I play are quick and usually a light as I can get away with.

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7

not ‘years.’ The key is to pick a tune (start with the video above till you can play it consistently and without looking at the tabs)
After that, pick another simple tune and keep practicing. In my case, I picked:

  • I literally had to make loopable portions of the video that I’d play over and over for practice, here was my progression: Little help with a Tab please - #11 by yuriythebest
  • recording yourself REALLY helps, it’s like a mirror and you can see where you can improve next
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8

Well said and this is exactly what I do. Every time I listen to a tune there is more clean up apparent but I am better than I was a year ago.

9

@davemacinnh congrats you’re doing it! It’s just a matter of hours spent practicing it at this point honestly. More than anything else, it’s just try…and try again!

Always best to be some place out of ear shot if possible. Before I had a studio, I used to spend a lot of time practicing in the car in the driveway in the middle of the night, lol!

We have to sound bad before we can sound good! No shortcuts!

You’re on the path. Rock on! :sunglasses: