Oxharp
273 posts
Apr 22, 2010
7:24 AM
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Hi guys, I am having trouble trying to TB bend on holes 1,2,3,and 4 normally on the lower harps say below a C down to G.
Could someone explain the technique and what is going on in the mouth to achieve accurate and controlled bending?
I have some success with the D harps up and especially the F harp but I can’t seem to get the reeds to respond on the lower harps. I don’t seem to have the draw wind pressure available no matter what I do to flex my tongue to try and get the bends.
I need to get this, as I know it will free up my playing a lot more.
I don’t think its how the harps are set up either.
I can Lip purse really strong and loud but would like to be more economical with my movement around the harp and I know that TB bending is the way forward for me.
Any suggestions would be great even a demo on vid with an explanation would be fantastic.
Regards
Russ (leave your Ego at the door)
Oxharp
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Nastyolddog
585 posts
Apr 22, 2010
7:53 AM
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Yo Bro this is my Bag,
1st there must be no Jaw Movement up or Down,
the back of the Tongue raises up and Down
hold your hand in front of your face horizontaly,
pretend it's your tongue your looking at,
now make a waveing motion only useing your fingers notice the back of the Hand raising up and down slightly,
now get a Harp do the same thing but with your finger tips on the Harp thay must not leave the HARP
make the waveing motion,now you notice the back of the hand or Knuckels Raising up and down,
thats what your tongue is doing inside your head the back is raising up and down:)
Last Edited by on Apr 22, 2010 7:54 AM
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5F6H
83 posts
Apr 22, 2010
8:08 AM
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TB bending the 1draw on a G harp is hard work, I typically switch to a LP embouchure if bending this note, ditto if bending 2draw on a low D (A note again), & low Eb/E. 2draw on a low F is the lowest note I naturally TB bend.
TB bends on very low notes can be "loose" sounding, LP'ing can tighten them up & make the note more tangible...if that's what you want.
It's got nothing to do with wind pressure either, you should eventually be able to do it with minimum force. Think more like your body is expanding like a weather balloon when you're bending the low notes.
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7LimitJI
94 posts
Apr 22, 2010
9:05 AM
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Try these exercise's
One/ 4bend, 4draw, 4bend, 3draw.
Two/ 3bend, 3draw, 3bend, 3draw
Three/ 2bend, 2draw, 2bend, 1draw
It can be done with all 3 bends on 3 hole, and both on 2.
Do like dog says with your tongue and try and open up your throat, almost like a yawn.
The lower the key the more throat "yawn" comes into it.
Your adams apple should move down when you bend the note.
Keep at it, and it will come even Low E and F !
I lip hole 1 only as there's no benefit to blocking it.
Those Dangerous Gentlemens Myspace
Due to cutbacks,the light at the end of the tunnel has been switched off.
Last Edited by on Apr 22, 2010 12:30 PM
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oda
278 posts
Apr 22, 2010
9:23 AM
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When I pucker, the bending has a lot to do with the position of the tongue.
With TB, the most important things are the throat and the back of the tongue. Just keep your tongue on the spacing and use your throat.
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barbequebob
740 posts
Apr 22, 2010
9:30 AM
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The inside shape of your mouth has to be larger to accomdate the tongue and get a freer flow of air. People new to the TB technique often don't have the inside shape of their mouths opened wide enough as well as relaxed enough to do anything with it.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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DeakHarp
16 posts
Apr 28, 2010
9:28 AM
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It took me a long time to get relaxed enough to get clear notes down low Ox .. but i dident look back 100% tongue blocking ... till i got it close enough to be satisfied ...you will learn how to lock in the spot you want to get .. The throat has alot to do with it ..And diaphram ...to get the extra draw you need to bend the lower key harps ...When you tongue block you are one with the drummer... Tica Pop Tica Pop .... it sounds like that ... try bending from one note ..but every note that you try to play stick the tongue a fracton of a second before you start the note ..that will give you the rhythm and the air leak notes sound great ...in between the good notes ......
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DirtyDeck
34 posts
Apr 28, 2010
9:50 AM
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I've recently had a breakthrough with TB bends after months of sore throats and frustration. I'm not a very experienced player so don't count this as gospel, but I think the key for me was building up tongue-strength through practicing slaps and tremelo. Every bit of free time I get I practice the tremelo, it doesn't take too much thinking, just keep your rythmn, I do it walking about the house. Building up the strength and flexability this way, I think, enabled me to use more breath-force without injuring myself, and to feel out the bends more accurrately.
So, there ye go! I'm getting tongue-blocking now! Hope this helps :)
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barbequebob
766 posts
Apr 28, 2010
12:52 PM
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Just remember, the tongue should be pressed LIGHTLY on the harmonica so there's no real need for forcing it to make things happen.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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bluzlvr
355 posts
Apr 28, 2010
1:08 PM
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I'm a tongue blocker, but I block the holes to my left of whatever hole I'm playing so that when I'm playing the one draw, there's no tongue blocking involved at all.
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http://www.myspace.com/jeffscranton
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belfast_harper
138 posts
Apr 28, 2010
2:19 PM
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I am having a similar problem on the other end of the harp.
I tongue almost everything, but I need to switch to lip pursing for my blow bends. I just can't figure out how to blow bend tongue blocked.
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oda
292 posts
Apr 28, 2010
3:20 PM
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Just remember, the tongue should be pressed LIGHTLY on the harmonica so there's no real need for forcing it to make things happen.
That's it! That was my break-through. I realized that I was having trouble because I was FORCING my tongue on the harp and it took effort and I got tired a lot.
Now I am relaxed and press the tongue ever so gently.
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I could be bound by a nutshell and still count myself a king of infinite space
OdaHUMANITY!
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