I can finally tongue block on the bottom notes 1 2 and 3 and I can finally bend on two and three can’t tell you how long this has taken me, I practice every day, and can block bend on all the usual Higher notes but this has really been a difficult challenge. It has driven me bananas. But being autistic has its advantages one is once you get something in your head you won’t let go (that’s why I never argue with the Wife I just tell her she’s always right —and a lot of the time she is) anyway just thought I’d share, as I’m pleased as punch
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Andy2
Smart moves. You won the battle that took persistence and like me don’t fight battles I will never win. congrats. I can bend the left half of the harp but getting to the point I can play a bend consistently well as another. I’ll let you know if and when I get there.
Scott4
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Thanks Scott, yeah it’s not perfect but now I’ve got it I’ll work on it. It was one of those fortunate accidents,“what if I angle the harp more towards my cheek” and boom! There it was not great but I did it enough times I know what to do and how to get it sounding stronger. It’s taken me quite some time to get it, not good enough to use live but it’ll get there. Half the battle is knowing
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Amazing! Congrats! This is fabulous to hear.
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Congrats man!
Btw, previously were you puckering or lip pursing,
and most important question of all,
does tongue blocking allow you to better feel which note/hole you are at?
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Thanks David that’s really nice coming from you I watch all your vids on YouTube
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To be honest, I was pursing I think, playing out of the corner of my mouth, then gradually over time I used my tongue to block out three play four, block out four play five and so on. I’ve been doing that for a while, I think however pursing out the side of my mouth and playing from the back of my throat helped, as I gradually added my tongue until I wasn’t even thinking about it. But for some reason ( my technique was off I think) I just couldn’t get those bottom 3 holes. Then suddenly yesterday afternoon I tried it and I did it. I Isolated 2, by blocking one with my cheek and three with my tongue but slightly adjusted the angle more and boom! I got it. At first it wasn’t great but the more I worked at it the better it got. Today it’s starting to really get stronger. I’m taking my harp away on holiday so I can keep it up.
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Congrats man! It must be awesome! I can’t quite bend yet myself so I am impressed with your accomplishment! Keep it up!
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Thank you
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If it was easy there would be great harp players everywhere. I doubt I’ll ever be as good as I want to but the journey is what matters. The only things that came easy to me were throwing rocks and golf. I had a spine surgery and had to hang up the clubs after three years. I broke 80 in less than two years. For some reason it seems if something comes easy boredom sets in. This will never be a problem for me with the harmonica but I just love to play it. I started at 68 and just do not have the years left it takes to get really good but on the rare occasion I get a song right it sure is great. I’ll go far enough to say its addicting. Its also a day maker.
I heard Herb Alpert say he was always learning and felt he will never know it all. I sure do like to listen to Whipped Cream and my kids heard it any put his music on their I pods. Timeless music. I listened to Pink Floyd but the C D wound up in her home. Daughters have a way of getting things from their dad. All I had were brothers that I tried like hell to trade of but no luck. I had the greatest mom as she put up with three boys, easy two ears apart. What a strong person she was.
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Well your in the right place here everyone is very supportive and helpful
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Congrats. Had a breakthrough myself yesterday and I’m pretty excited about it.
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Big congrats @Andy2 - a “hole” new world!! 
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