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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
bending woes
bending woes
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naphelge
1 post
Mar 30, 2016
6:03 AM
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Hey gang, I am new both to this forum as well as playing harp: I started a month or two ago now.
I have managed to learn how to bend all the draw holes that can be bent. The 1 & 4 draw are straightforward because they are only a half step bend. But when I go to bend either the 2 or 3, but mostly the 2, there seems to be a line that once crossed takes me from a slight, not quite a 1/2 step bend, all the way down to a full step or step and a half, in the case of the 2 draw, bend. I seem to miss everything along the way, in between, and it sounds awful. I either get a partial 1/2 step bend or full step or step and a half bend. Also I find the half step bend requires just the slightest effort to draw down and then boom! I hit rock bottom. So I don't feel I can even play a half step bend with any authority or I seem to lose it altogether.
Is this a common problem that will get worked out with time practicing do you think?
On a side note, if I sit and concentrate on bending I can use my tongue effectively to manage the bends, but when I start incorporating bends into licks or playing riffs with bends, I find that I rely more on a tilting the harp and using some tongue actions to achieve the bends quicker. I have read advice from accomplished harp teachers that tilting the harp to achieve those first bends is a good idea. But in reality, when I watch accomplished harp players, I do not see them tilting their harps while bending. So do you think tilting the harp to achieve bends is the start of a bad habit?
Thanks. I appreciate reading all constructive suggestions, opinions and advice.
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arzajac
1755 posts
Mar 30, 2016
8:40 AM
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"Is this a common problem that will get worked out with time practicing do you think?"
YES! It sounds like you have made solid progress for 1-2 months so keep at it. The distance between the first half-step bend and the last one gets bigger as your fine motor control develops. It will take time and practice. I strongly suggest you use the time to develop good habits.
It's better at this stage to play the pitches correctly but slowly rather than off-pitch but at a faster tempo. Speed will come. Use your ears (!) and focus on hitting the pitches you want.
That especially means staying off the "floor" and don't bend that last semitone down too much - you will sound flat and you will bust reeds. Control your breath. Record yourself. Play along with a backing track. Try to stay in tune as much as you can.
If you involve your ears at this stage, the rest will follow with a little time and practice.
"So do you think tilting the harp to achieve bends is the start of a bad habit?"
Meh. It doesn't really help. But I know some pros who still do funny things like that. Find a video of Roly Platt. He often plays with the harp rotated (like he is almost moving it up and down rather than left-right). It works for him... Don't worry about it too much.
I hope that helps!
Edit: Example:
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Last Edited by arzajac on Mar 30, 2016 9:16 AM
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mlefree
633 posts
Mar 30, 2016
9:34 AM
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You didn't say what key harp you are playing. You might find that lower key harmonicas are easier to develop the fine control and muscle memory involved in bending.
Keep it up. You are doing great for the short time you've been playing.
Michelle
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