There's a fourth way, tilting the harmonica upward and using your top lip and shaping your tongue to direct the air in an S shaped stream, you direct the airflow by curving it around your lip and teeth. It's counterintuitive but makes for a really slow, controllable bend. I use it mostly for long, deep bends that would otherwise require a lot more air. It's hard to describe exactly how to do it but I think most players do it after while even if they're not aware of it just as an air saving technique.
I liked the diagrams and your explanation of the various ways to get clean notes but the Biggest tip for me was SLOW DOWN. I rush too much and miss holes or get more than one hole at a time. Thanks.
Ever since I started playing the harmonica, I've always played one note. It wasn't hard for me at all. When playing a song, and I come to a whole note, depending on what the song is, I can add rhythem. As I draw out the note, (blow or draw) I can play different beats. I can play blues, jazz, really anything. I thought that's how you play the harmonica: one note at a time. But depending on the song, I can play two of more notes together.
Thanks, Jonah! I've been trying to figure out how to tongue block and this helped a lot! (for some reason I thought you had to open three holes and block two 🙄) and you are right that going slow is the key!
Yeah, generally you just use the tip of your tongue on one hole. If you are playing chord, then you may use a higher part of your tongue and block multiple holes.
I prefer tongue blocking like you but I have difficulties with holes 1 and 2 and with bend. Puckering is easier for these specific cases. Do you have any tips for that ?
I think hole two isn't really that different from the other holes because your tongue is still on the harmonica. For hole one, you just take your tongue off, so it's almost like you're puckering, but you don't scrunch up your lips in the same way. It's the same relaxed tongue blocking position, but your tongue is off the harmonica. For bending, tongue blocking could be more difficult, but if you're bending in the correct way, it should be pretty much the same. You should be bending with the angles of your tongue, I go over it in other videos. If you bend in other ways, like dropping your jaw, then, yes, tongue blocking could be more difficult. You just need to learn how to control your tongue more. You just need more practice.
Great video as usual Jonah. I've been playing for about a year now and I seem to be developing a blend of puckering and tongue blocking (Hybrid???). Is this a good way to go?
I would say that it’s fine as long as you don’t feel like it’s holding you back. Puckering can be a little bit better in certain instances, so if you can switch, it’s all good. Personally, I almost always tongue block but I’ll switch to the deep relaxed embouchure for fast runs sometimes.
Correct me if I'm wrong here, but wouldn't it just be a WHOLE LOT easier, if you just make a harmonica with W I D E hole spacing??? Seems like a "DUH" to me!
The wider are you make it, the more distance you have to move, which ultimately makes it worse for players that know how to execute on this technique, which is pretty much everyone
Like any skill, try to isolate it. Pick two notes across the harp and drill moving between them. Then try to learn some simple 1st position songs and focus on note accuracy so you have something real to test it out on.
When I try to do puckering I swear I make the hole in-between my lips about as small as humanly possible and not only do I get a weak note (which I know is what happens when the airflow is too stifled) I still get more than one note somehow?????????? if I can't even get past this I'm just gonna have to sell these except the keepsake ones from grandad. And to think I though (lol) that I was playing single notes but I was really just playing smaller chords all this time, glad I never embarrassed myself by trying to show off.
Might be a good idea to try one of the other embouchures mentioned in this video then! Tongue blocking is very different, it might work better for you.
@@HarmonicaRevolution Well u-blocking is definitely out of question because... yeah lol, I have 2 problems with tongue blocking as well though, first of all how do I play 4 draw/blow and block 3 and 5 on either side of it? seems like something you'd only be able to do with 2 or more tongues, second I can't imagine bends etc. would be possible when you're trying to keep the holes blocked with the tongue (and that second question/statement goes for u-blocking too) the second you move it away from the holes you'd start playing a chord, which means in theory it would work just fine with a song that doesn't have any of that fancy stuff going on but even in that case my first question/statement still stands.
What's ur thoughts on the big river harp and can u bend notes easy on them I'm only at very beginner stage but just wounded once?e I do get too bending stage am I going have too buy divert hero to bend and do over blows with or well my big river be good for all that too got it couple years ago as a gift and just started few days ago to learn it cause I have. Always wanted too learn the harp
It’s OK. Not my favorite, but not terrible. Though don’t worry, most issues with harps come down to a lack of air tightness. This can be adjusted, so you should be able to make even a bad performing harmonica function like a decent one. I have a video on my channel, you can browse for it or search Harmonica Reed gapping. If you’re just starting out, don’t worry about this yet. It becomes more relevant when you’re learning how to bend; sometimes a bad harp can hold you back without doing the set up I mentioned.
@@HarmonicaRevolution OK ty for ur input on this means alot to me I got two harps as gift cupple years ago and just now reply desired too learn witch I've always wanted too do now at age of 50 beginning to learn the other harp I got at same time was a specle 20 but the big river feels more conferble to me then the specle 20
@@HarmonicaRevolution OK ty so tounge well be pretty much at end of harp when blowing in hole one I find that tounge blocking is Easter for me then lip blocking I just could nt get lip blocking and my notes sounded like something was have long terized death but with route blocking got it right away with clear notes except 1draw still working on that one its sounding like its being choked out but all rest draws notes from 2 to 10 got them NP within an hour
Hi Jonah ! I'm a beginner. How to know if I managed to bend the note, especially in two. It seems to me that I have succeeded, but I am not sure. Thanks
getting a bit fed up with your tongue blocking all the time, how its so great, tell you what, play Freebird as well as Will Wilde and i will believe you
There's a fourth way, tilting the harmonica upward and using your top lip and shaping your tongue to direct the air in an S shaped stream, you direct the airflow by curving it around your lip and teeth. It's counterintuitive but makes for a really slow, controllable bend. I use it mostly for long, deep bends that would otherwise require a lot more air. It's hard to describe exactly how to do it but I think most players do it after while even if they're not aware of it just as an air saving technique.
I liked the diagrams and your explanation of the various ways to get clean notes but the Biggest tip for me was SLOW DOWN. I rush too much and miss holes or get more than one hole at a time. Thanks.
Thanks, I am an old guy with time and a new Special 20.
Ever since I started playing the harmonica, I've always played one note. It wasn't hard for me at all. When playing a song, and I come to a whole note, depending on what the song is, I can add rhythem. As I draw out the note, (blow or draw) I can play different beats. I can play blues, jazz, really anything. I thought that's how you play the harmonica: one note at a time. But depending on the song, I can play two of more notes together.
Great lession, thank you Jonah!
I Needed this harmonica tutorial! Thanks man you help out a whole bunch when learning!!!
I really appreciate the video and sharing your preference. Cheers
Thank you so much for you lesson!!!
Wow, I'm actually hearing single notes. Lol
I believe I may have found the right teacher.
Thanks, Jonah! I've been trying to figure out how to tongue block and this helped a lot! (for some reason I thought you had to open three holes and block two 🙄) and you are right that going slow is the key!
Yeah, generally you just use the tip of your tongue on one hole. If you are playing chord, then you may use a higher part of your tongue and block multiple holes.
Look for The Tongue Block Trainer on RUclips. There are 7 videos and it is a big help to get you started.
Good explanation and detailed instructions. Much appreciated.
You helped me. Thank you man.
As a novice, I am between pucker and deep relaxed, I just can't get as of yet that is started on tongue blocking ( not yet anyway)
Excellent👍
I prefer tongue blocking like you but I have difficulties with holes 1 and 2 and with bend. Puckering is easier for these specific cases. Do you have any tips for that ?
I think hole two isn't really that different from the other holes because your tongue is still on the harmonica. For hole one, you just take your tongue off, so it's almost like you're puckering, but you don't scrunch up your lips in the same way. It's the same relaxed tongue blocking position, but your tongue is off the harmonica. For bending, tongue blocking could be more difficult, but if you're bending in the correct way, it should be pretty much the same. You should be bending with the angles of your tongue, I go over it in other videos. If you bend in other ways, like dropping your jaw, then, yes, tongue blocking could be more difficult. You just need to learn how to control your tongue more. You just need more practice.
make a harmonica with the holes an inch or 2 apart.
Jonah, thanks for the great videos. One niggling point, embouchure is the correct term and is pronounced: om . boo . shuor
Great video as usual Jonah. I've been playing for about a year now and I seem to be developing a blend of puckering and tongue blocking (Hybrid???). Is this a good way to go?
I would say that it’s fine as long as you don’t feel like it’s holding you back. Puckering can be a little bit better in certain instances, so if you can switch, it’s all good. Personally, I almost always tongue block but I’ll switch to the deep relaxed embouchure for fast runs sometimes.
@@HarmonicaRevolution great video, just starting to play. Thanks
Correct me if I'm wrong here, but wouldn't it just be a WHOLE LOT easier, if you just make a harmonica with W I D E hole spacing??? Seems like a "DUH" to me!
The wider are you make it, the more distance you have to move, which ultimately makes it worse for players that know how to execute on this technique, which is pretty much everyone
Hope you see this I have the single notes down but my problem is switching between notes. Do you have any tips.
Like any skill, try to isolate it. Pick two notes across the harp and drill moving between them. Then try to learn some simple 1st position songs and focus on note accuracy so you have something real to test it out on.
When I try to do puckering I swear I make the hole in-between my lips about as small as humanly possible and not only do I get a weak note (which I know is what happens when the airflow is too stifled) I still get more than one note somehow?????????? if I can't even get past this I'm just gonna have to sell these except the keepsake ones from grandad.
And to think I though (lol) that I was playing single notes but I was really just playing smaller chords all this time, glad I never embarrassed myself by trying to show off.
Might be a good idea to try one of the other embouchures mentioned in this video then! Tongue blocking is very different, it might work better for you.
@@HarmonicaRevolution Well u-blocking is definitely out of question because... yeah lol, I have 2 problems with tongue blocking as well though, first of all how do I play 4 draw/blow and block 3 and 5 on either side of it? seems like something you'd only be able to do with 2 or more tongues, second I can't imagine bends etc. would be possible when you're trying to keep the holes blocked with the tongue (and that second question/statement goes for u-blocking too) the second you move it away from the holes you'd start playing a chord, which means in theory it would work just fine with a song that doesn't have any of that fancy stuff going on but even in that case my first question/statement still stands.
What's ur thoughts on the big river harp and can u bend notes easy on them I'm only at very beginner stage but just wounded once?e I do get too bending stage am I going have too buy divert hero to bend and do over blows with or well my big river be good for all that too got it couple years ago as a gift and just started few days ago to learn it cause I have. Always wanted too learn the harp
It’s OK. Not my favorite, but not terrible. Though don’t worry, most issues with harps come down to a lack of air tightness. This can be adjusted, so you should be able to make even a bad performing harmonica function like a decent one. I have a video on my channel, you can browse for it or search Harmonica Reed gapping. If you’re just starting out, don’t worry about this yet. It becomes more relevant when you’re learning how to bend; sometimes a bad harp can hold you back without doing the set up I mentioned.
@@HarmonicaRevolution OK ty for ur input on this means alot to me I got two harps as gift cupple years ago and just now reply desired too learn witch I've always wanted too do now at age of 50 beginning to learn the other harp I got at same time was a specle 20 but the big river feels more conferble to me then the specle 20
With tounge blocking when u play hole one do u keep tounge on left or do u move it to right side and blow out left side of mouth
Keep it on the left. Sorry that I was not clear!
@@HarmonicaRevolution OK ty so tounge well be pretty much at end of harp when blowing in hole one I find that tounge blocking is Easter for me then lip blocking I just could nt get lip blocking and my notes sounded like something was have long terized death but with route blocking got it right away with clear notes except 1draw still working on that one its sounding like its being choked out but all rest draws notes from 2 to 10 got them NP within an hour
Hi Jonah ! I'm a beginner. How to know if I managed to bend the note, especially in two. It seems to me that I have succeeded, but I am not sure. Thanks
Try using a tuner to get some visual feedback on bends. Check out this video for an app you can use. ruclips.net/video/zdwWHgITpiY/видео.html
@@HarmonicaRevolution This works ! I can bend the tone, but it takes a little effort
Thanks Jonah. I succeeded in all the holes, relatively easily, only hole 1 is harder to bend. I will continue to practice :)
getting a bit fed up with your tongue blocking all the time, how its so great, tell you what, play Freebird as well as Will Wilde and i will believe you
Only 3x, it should be more.