Can you imagine? I first learned just enough harp in the early 1960's to play Beatles songs. From about 1990 until 2002 I played blues (in a utility role, as I'm actually the lead guitar player) and did, what knowledgeable audience folks had said was a good job. Now in 2016, I JUST leaned the blow bend from you. THANK YOU! PS: Anybody ever tell you, you look kinda' like James Franco?
Hey Luke.... Thanks for putting this out there... actually I've been playing blues harp casually for over 40 years, self-taught by trial and error including breaking so many reeds never having known that one has to play SOFTLY... the last few years, I find myself on some stages with the harps, and have been trying to hone and fine-tune the craft. Working on more technique, my lack of which has been compensated by some soul :) ... so you're videos are really helpful. Those high blow bends have been missing for me... I see that it works better when not thinking too hard about it and then it happens.. feels like a knack.. I'll keep on practising it.... Love your smile... the evidence of a beautiful soul. Be blessed!
Thankyou! I was able to do it with lots of effort. It's sloppy, but I get the idea. I am seeing that it requires mastering control of the tongue quite a bit as well as the other stretches that you have shown.
WOW! Luke, I have listened to 3 or 4 other "how to blow bend" videos from the standard list of harp instructors with no luck. Then I found YOURS and I was bending hole 8 at the 3:25 mark of your video. This is awesome! I will be seeking out other videos you have to see what all you can fill in for me as I strive to better myself playing the harmonica. Don Coppock
Well, it sounds like you're well on your way if you've already master the blow bend on holes 8 and 9. Well done! 10 blow is going to be the hardest to get (it took me a looooong time!) It takes a lot of pressure. To answer your question: Yes, you will find the 10 blow easier on a "G" harp than on a "C" harp. I also recommend starting with a "C" for learning the draw bends, but I do think you'll find a lower key easier for the blow bends. I know I do! Happy playing.
You got it. Th the right of C it typically goes up to F# (although you can find a high G) and to the left of C, the keys go down to G (although you can find a low F) So, with the standard keys, low to high is G to F#. C is in the middle. As you get higher, blow bends become more difficult to execute...
I liked your comment on how it is more difficult to blow bend on higher harmonicas. Most teachers recommend starting out with a C harmonica. Would you recommend starting with one on a more low key to learn blow bends? I have a C harmonica and i already know how to bend on every hole except for the 10 hole. :( Thx a lot
It seems that if I think of the air going down the face of my tongue like a slide, and narrow the distance between the back of the top front teeth and the face of my tongue to force the air down the slide I get slightly better success.
Could u list the keys from high to low so I know exactly what you're talking about? (When you start from C on the piano, it seems to me that G is higher -- or you going left on the keyboard from C?)
Can you imagine? I first learned just enough harp in the early 1960's to play Beatles songs. From about 1990 until 2002 I played blues (in a utility role, as I'm actually the lead guitar player) and did, what knowledgeable audience folks had said was a good job. Now in 2016, I JUST leaned the blow bend from you. THANK YOU! PS: Anybody ever tell you, you look kinda' like James Franco?
Came here to finally get an Eb on a C-harp. Got it 5 minutes in to your video. Thank you, sir!
Hey Luke....
Thanks for putting this out there...
actually I've been playing blues harp casually for over 40 years, self-taught by trial and error including breaking so many reeds never having known that one has to play SOFTLY... the last few years, I find myself on some stages with the harps, and have been trying to hone and fine-tune the craft. Working on more technique, my lack of which has been compensated by some soul :) ... so you're videos are really helpful. Those high blow bends have been missing for me... I see that it works better when not thinking too hard about it and then it happens.. feels like a knack.. I'll keep on practising it....
Love your smile... the evidence of a beautiful soul. Be blessed!
Thank you so much for your kind words. Can't tell you how much they mean to me!
Thankyou! I was able to do it with lots of effort. It's sloppy, but I get the idea. I am seeing that it requires mastering control of the tongue quite a bit as well as the other stretches that you have shown.
WOW! Luke, I have listened to 3 or 4 other "how to blow bend" videos from the standard list of harp instructors with no luck. Then I found YOURS and I was bending hole 8 at the 3:25 mark of your video. This is awesome! I will be seeking out other videos you have to see what all you can fill in for me as I strive to better myself playing the harmonica.
Don Coppock
Woo hoo! right on Don. Glad to hear it brother! Rock on, my friend.
Well, it sounds like you're well on your way if you've already master the blow bend on holes 8 and 9. Well done! 10 blow is going to be the hardest to get (it took me a looooong time!) It takes a lot of pressure. To answer your question: Yes, you will find the 10 blow easier on a "G" harp than on a "C" harp. I also recommend starting with a "C" for learning the draw bends, but I do think you'll find a lower key easier for the blow bends. I know I do! Happy playing.
thanks so much!!! Made so much sense to me the way you explained it. thanks for starting on a G too as I hate the high notes 🙀
You got it. Th the right of C it typically goes up to F# (although you can find a high G) and to the left of C, the keys go down to G (although you can find a low F) So, with the standard keys, low to high is G to F#. C is in the middle. As you get higher, blow bends become more difficult to execute...
Thank you very much!Very well Explained.
Alright man, will keep practicing then. thx for the great videos by the way. cheers
Yes. In my experience, the lower the key, the easier the blow bends are to execute.
thanks dude, was so useful
Marvelous!
I liked your comment on how it is more difficult to blow bend on higher harmonicas. Most teachers recommend starting out with a C harmonica. Would you recommend starting with one on a more low key to learn blow bends? I have a C harmonica and i already know how to bend on every hole except for the 10 hole. :( Thx a lot
It seems that if I think of the air going down the face of my tongue like a slide, and narrow the distance between the back of the top front teeth and the face of my tongue to force the air down the slide I get slightly better success.
Seriously learned faster on blow bend than draw bend... Why is it?
Does draw bend alot harder to be learned?
-btw you're a great teacher Luke
Nice! Ques.: Sorry if I missed it, but Is a G harp the easiest one to get blow bends on? And how does a C harp fit into this technique?
Could u list the keys from high to low so I know exactly what you're talking about? (When you start from C on the piano, it seems to me that G is higher -- or you going left on the keyboard from C?)
This is a quite tricky topic.
Yes, but you'll get it if you never give up!
I can get the blow bends but holding them in that position is hard to do.
True. It just takes time for the muscles to develop.