I have been a musician my entire life but lost the ability to play my instruments due to a serious accident. The harmonica is pretty much the only instrument I am physically able to play and actually progress on. I got an East Top 008K to start on and figured that once I progressed a bit, I’d get some really good harps. I am now several weeks in and despite watching all the videos I could find, and practicing diligently, I simply cannot bend at all and I fear it is due to my tongue/mouth (more info below).
I could never roll my R’s, even after years of Spanish classes in school, I can’t fold/roll/wrinkle my tongue, etc. Whenever I try to manipulate it in my mouth (to roll it into a U shape, etc), it just compacts (getting smaller horizontally and larger vertically). I am terrified that my genetics might be holding me back from learning the only instrument left that I could actually play.
The only modulation in pitch I can achieve is by using my lips and mouth to create suction but it doesn’t involve my tongue at all and it only goes down maybe 1/4th of a step. Any help at all would be helpful. I need to be able to make music, I can’t live otherwise. Thank you!
It took me ages to get any kind of movement on the notes, so my advice would be to stick with it, make progress on everything that isn’t bending because all that will indirectly help with the bending.
It also seems to me that no matter how people describe what they’re doing becuase everyone’s mouth is different and will interact with the instrument differently there is a large amount of figuring out how it works for you. Just because trying what x,y,z said is how to bend didn’t work for you or work right away doesn’t mean you won’t or can’t find a way to get the bends.
There’s also lots you can do with it without bends.
I don’t think it’s your genetics, I had a stutter when I was a kid, and I still much to my wife’s amusement pronounce some words oddly, I have one Lung too. It does take a long time to learn how to bend it’s just perseverance. Imagine your whistling backwards, And try saying tee - Oh. I’ve told members about this method before some have had success with it.
Thank you. I’ll keep at it. I have no experience with using my mouth and lungs to play an instrument so I really am starting from scratch. I even take my harmonica in the car on my commute and wait for traffic lights….sit there pulling on 4…moving my mouth and tongue all around lol. It makes traffic lights go faster but since I’ve been unsuccessful bending, it makes them no less frustrating.
I was actually watching this video last night. I got to where I can whistle a descending note while whistling ‘inwards’ but still can’t bend on the damn harp. I’m going to try it again tonight using this approach. thank you so much for commenting, it’s very much appreciated.
@RockNProle In the grand scheme of things several weeks is no time at all.
Did you get Luke’s Beginner to Boss course? There are around 80 lessons in that course before bending comes in. There is loads to learn before starting to be concerned about bends.
Keep music making fun.
I’ll definitely look into it. I always had a tendency to try and run before I could walk, so that’s definitely good advice. Just 15 minutes ago I had the breakthrough and can bend a half step down on 2, 3, 4 and 6. But I immediately realize that I’ve been so worried about bending, I can’t even incorporate the bends into anything worthwhile because I’ve just been pulling on 4 for 2 weeks lol. I definitely am looking for a good harmonica course so thank you for the suggestion!
Congratulations @RockNProle for getting your first bend. I agree with Piglet, advice from others about technique is helpful but we’re all different, so you also have to figure it out for yourself. You can probably imitate a foreign accent or a famous actors voice or a cartoon character, but I bet you can’t tell me how you do it! I also agree with David that several weeks is not much time at all. I didn’t even attempt a bend for longer than that.
There is a lot of advice on this forum about relaxing when you play, not just in regard to bending. As you said yourself, it seems like you are trying to run before you walk and that doesn’t sound relaxed.
I’m glad you have found the harmonica, and I hope you learn to love it.
Peace love and healing.
