Bending notes is an essential technique for beginner blues harmonica players, because it allows you to create the amazingly expressive, soulful bluesy sound that is so characteristic of the blues.
In this lesson, we'll discuss:
1. Which holes bend on the harmonica
2. How to practice bending notes.
Hello and welcome to BluesHarmonicaLessons.com! Let’s look at how to bend notes on the harmonica.
What is harmonica bending?
Bending allows you to play extra tones that wouldn't otherwise be available. Blues harmonicas have several missing notes (tones in the musicial scale that don't appear naturally on the instrument) so bending helps you to fill in these gaps.
Which holes will bend on a blues harmonica?
It's actually possible to bend all holes on a standard blues harmonica - in a sense. Holes 1 to 6 will bend on the draw note, whereas holes 7 to 10 will bend on the blow note. The reason for the switch is that on the lower holes, the draw reed is a higher pitch than the blow reed, but on the higher holes it's the other way round. This changes the physics and mechanics of the instrument.
(Also try: Which harmonicas will bend easiest?)
How do you make a bend on the harmonica?
Bending works by making both the blow and draw reeds vibrate simultaneously to produce a note which sits between the pitch of each indivudal reed. Bending a note requires a change to the oral cavity (space in your mouth) to allow a lower note to resonate. This can take some getting used to.
(Also try: How to play clean notes on blues harmonica)
Which holes should you learn to bend first?
Now you're going to try to bend your first note. It makes sense to try the draw bends first as they're the most useful for blues music and usually the easiest too. I recommend you start with the 4 draw, but do try the other holes too.
Step 1: Mouthshape
It feels silly at first, but practising moving the shape of your mouth from an 'AH' or 'EE' to an 'OO' shape is a good place to start:
Step 2: "Slurping" the Air
Imagine you're sipping a milkshake through a straw. I think of it as 'slurping' the air. Don't pull hard, it's more about adding a little bit of tension than using brute force.
Step 3: Tongue Movement
Now try sliding the tip of your tongue directly back in your mouth to create a humped shape. This helps angle the airflow so that both the blow and draw reed vibrate.
All of these steps are extremely subtle for an experienced player, but you may have to do an exaggerated version of them to get your first bends. Over time, you'll refine your technique down to its pure essence and be able to achieve the bends with minimal effort.
Finding the bending 'sweet spot'
The three steps above are all that's needed to achieve a bend, but it can take a frustratingly long time to make this work. You need to experiment with slow changes of shape and position to find the sweet spot where it comes together and the note moves. When this happens, stay where you are!
3 top tips for bending notes on the harmonica
Pull your tongue down at the front to easily make a humped shape
Say 'KUH' as you play the note
Imagine an inward whistle that's getting lower in pitch
Other tips for blues harmonica bending
Struggling with the bend? Here are some extra tips that might help you to get it.
Whistle backwards: Bending technique is very similar to changing the pitch of a whistle, so try doing just that (without the harmonica!) and pay attention to what you're doing. Whistle a high note and try sliding it lower. If possible, try it on an inward breath since we're learning to bend the draw notes. Then apply the same mouth and tongue movement when playing the note on the harmonica.
Freeze your mouth: Consistency of embouchure (mouth shape) is crucial so if you get the note to move, try to freeze in that position and work on memorising that exact shape. Even a slight movement can throw the bend off entirely. Frustrating, I know!
Think it lower: Believe it or not, thinking the note lower can really help. This is because of the close connection between the vocal cavity and the note achieved. If you're thinking lower, you're more likely to be moving your mouthshape unconsciously to the correct shape.
Imagine starting your car: If you drive a manual car (as most of us in the UK do), you will be used to balancing the clutch and gas pedals to find the bite point when the engine engages and you can pull off. There's a similar bite point (I call it the sweet spot) with the bends. If you miss the bite on your car, you'll stall. If you miss the bite on your harmonica, you'll lose the bend. Be vigilant in recognising the bite point when working on the technique. Pause at that point and you will maintain the bend.
Common bending mistakes
Hopefully you're getting the note to move now, but it's normal to find this difficult at first. Here are a few common mistakes to consider:
Breathing too hard: Loosen up, relax your shoulders, take some breaths to steady yourself and focus. There is a sweet spot that will give you a bend, and you'll lose it if you breathe too hard.
Rushing the changes: Slow down so that your practice is in slow motion. If you try the mouth, air pressure and tongue movements too quickly, you may be skipping the bend.
Using a cheap harmonica: The cheapest harmonicas on the market are very difficult to bend. I recommend learning to bend on a Hohner Special 20 harmonica or a blues harmonica in the same price range from Suzuki, Seydel or Lee Oskar.
Not sure if you're bending yet?
If you're not sure whether you've played a bend then you probably haven't! However, to help you hear the bend, here are some tips:
Start slowly. Bending notes takes time and practice. Don't get discouraged if you don't get it right away. The slower you go, the easier it is to hear when you get it right and then hone your technique to repeat the sound.
Use a tuner. A tuner can help you to see how far you're bending the note. This will help you to develop your ear and make sure that you're bending the note to the correct pitch.
Listen to other blues harmonica players. Pay attention to how they bend notes. Try to imitate their sound.
Thanks for taking this lesson with me today! Here's a video lesson to accompany it:
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