I've watched this video for two days and now have the concept. I think after working on it for 3 to 6 months, it will become second nature. Great instruction.
Thankyou Lee, finally got after choking myself for 10 minutes! Helped me to anchor my tongue, form a koo and then imagine/visualize the air flowing directly over my tongue. This is without a doubt the best tb series i can find on youtube at the moment. Quality stuff
Thanks a lot! I started playing harmonica a year and a half ago. I discovered your tongue block video's a few months ago, and once in a while I tried to implement some tongue blocking into my playing. Earlier this week I forced myself to really learn how to tongue block single notes and bends and after hours of practising this week (with the help of your video's) I'm playing completely tongue blocked! It still sounds a bit week sometimes but I'm getting there. Thanks, I'm a tongue blocker now!
Thank you for your reply Lee. I've been carrying on following your TB videos attentively and am putting in the practice to develop the technique further. After about 4-5 hours of practice things start falling into place a little more...already feels much less foreign and daunting than at first and even just starting out and mixing it up with pursing you can really feel the benefits of TB and that 'connection' with the instrument you talk about. Looking forward to the years of practice! Best, G
Lee. Many thanks for your comprehensive, considered and quick response. You really understand where I am at. My teeth are breathing a collective sigh! I'll persevere with the 3 draw and add the 2 draw later. I'm loving this tongue blocking - its delivering a total sound transformation.
Ha ha, I bet they are. Life's tough enough with all that sugar around. Glad the comments helped. Make sure you have the 4 draw and above 'down pat' before adding the 3. Better, IMHO, to have a stronger more fluid technique in a smaller area, than to TB everywhere but being imprecise and jagged. Keep us posted, Lee
First lesson of you I've seen and I must say, WOW. You explain everything, which is allmost unexplainable, so clearly and elaborate. I will be checking out ur other video's for sure!
Greetings, Lee! This is what I'm working on right now - tongue-block bending. I've got the tongue-block bending on 3 & 4 draw pretty well, but it's the 6 draw that's my new challenge. For me, it's about experiment, experiment, experiment - using trial and error, discovering where my tongue is and where it needs to be so that I can find that "sweet spot" to get that bend. Does that make sense?
Thanks for the high praise Des. It's good to hear from people whether my explanations are clear and the information helpful. What stage are you at, do you play? Lee
Excellent! I play for 1 year now. Starting as a pucker. Now i want to incorporate tongue blocking but cant get the bends. This is the explanation i needed. Thank you!
Lee, I DID IT!!! I'm dialing into that "sweet spot" for the 6-draw tongue-block bend. My goal is to make my tongue-blocked bends sounds as crisp and clean as my puckered bends, and I achieved a major breakthrough last night! After working on it while driving home from work last night, I nailed it while driving in to work this morning. I found that "sweet spot." I'm still going to work on really perfecting it, but MAN what a great feeling!
Whenever I'm working on a new technique or sound, and think I'll never get it. Then you have that "aha" moment and go "I got it! I got it!".....it's a great feeling.
Nice one, now here's the thing. Once you start dialing into a bend, don't fall into the trap of being complacent and thinking 'yes I've got it'. The work is only just beginning. Now it's all about refinement. I still work on my bends after over 20 years. Lee
Hello, very nice comments, thanks. Someone else just asked the same question. When you're just beginning the 1st steps are to play accurate notes using TB'ing. Once you get the hang of it you can adjust your technique. Sounds as though you dominant side is backwards. But hey I play upside down, so what do I know! Normal way would be TB from the right down to the 2 and TB left on the 1. Start with LP'ing the 1, 2 and TB from the 3 up to the 6 or 7. Develop confidence on one side first! Lee
Another great video Lee! I'm making some progress now in the middle octave but it's really tough going back to basics after years of lip purse bending - especially for my wife's ears! Still, I'm convinced of the benefits so will stick at it. Thanks for your help, it's much appreciated!
Hello Lee I am a U blocker. I can bend this way. I am trying to learn to play by TB. I can get the single note, now to learn to bend by TB. Great video, now to practice and more practice. U blocking just came to me very easy. Norton Buffalo and John Nemeth both play great with the U blocking. Ronnie Shellist mixes pucker and TB. I have a lot to learn, but playing live a little and having fun. Thanks for all you do to help people with the harmonica.
Great! This should help with this mental block I have at the moment, this is a big wall but I remember feeling the same with Pukker Bend but eventually it came and I don't even think about it any more. Nice work Lee
@leesankeygroup Its just amazing how many accomplished musicians take the time here on YT to share there talent expecting nothing in return. Your lessons are top notch and I would expect to pay 25 to 40 for the same type of lesson here in New England. Cheers Todd
Thanks man Very inspiring! I’ve been U-blocking since I started playing harmonica for most hole 1,2,3 then tongue block right. Earlier i been working on little walters boggie but never really got the hang on real bending the hole way!! I saw that you have played with Ian siegal real impressive live artist, that have played here in Lulea. I was in a group to book him. Stay safe
same person asking the questions ;) It takes a great deal of mind trickery to be able to convince one's brain to tongue block on the opposite side than one's 'dominant' TB side.... almost feels like trying to sign your name with your non-writing hand! the tongue goes to the opposite side and yet the air just keeps flowing through the same side anyway!
Thank you once again Lee, i never thought id ever get a bend tongue blocking even though pucker bends are no trouble, this vid has helped me on my way, apreciate from Australia :)
Hi Isabelle, great to hear that my tutorials have helped you get tongue blocked bends. Well done for learning that technique, it can be quite a struggle. How long have you been playing? Lee
Makes total sense. Keep being persistent and it will come. When it does, just try to memorise the position. The draw 6 is easier than the draw 3 where you have 3 possible bends. Much harder to control than the one bend on the draw 6. My recommendation is to try and use the draw 4 well 1st. Cheers, Lee
Another helpful lesson, thanks!One thing which might help with bending in general....when I find that I can't get a bend, especially with tongue blocking...I find that if I pinch my nose closed, the bend often comes perfectly. A lot of my trouble is that I lose air through the nose. When I pinch my nose and get the bend, it proves to me that I can actually do it so I keep at it.Thanks again for all the great lessons!
Ok Thanks! I watched the blues harmonica in weeks video and it was very helpful. I never expected it to be easy from the start, but I wanted to hear from a person who is a good player to know how much time they recommend putting into bending. I've played the drums for 8 years and i love the drums but I've always wanted to be able to sing. Im a terrible singer but when I heard Sonny Boy II in action, I figured that theres an instrument that can make me sing, with enough practice.
I first attempted bending whilst tongue blocking yesterday; today I've just about gotten the 3 draw half step bend. I remember how long it took me to bend whilst lip pursing and hope that it isn't going to take quite so long to learn this new technique!
Hi Alex, well prepared to be disappointed my friend. It will all most certainly take years to properly learn to tongue block bend. It certainly took me a very long time. Sure you can pick up the basic idea of moving the reed and creating pitch variation but to really control a bent note with tone does take our old friend 'time' and practise again.
Hi Lee! Thanks for the video! One question: if the tongue is blocking one hole does the airflow comes over the tongue or on a side of it, to bend the next hole? Thanks, appreciate
Thanks for watching and your question. The air basically flows down the side of the area which is not blocked. It sounds more complicated than it is. Simple - you want to play 4D tongue blocked. Obviously you donn't block that hole otherwise it won't sound. You either block to the left or right. I.e you block holes 3,2 so D4 sounds. Or you block holes 5,6 and 4 sounds. Does this make sense? Lee
@bluesnobrasil Brilliant to hear these videos are helping you directly and that my explanations make sense. We are all a long off where we would like to be! It's a life times work. Lee
Hi, thanks for the feedback. I think there are much better people on RUclips than me for beginner content - Jon Grindick for example. I don't really consider my lessons for beginners or people just starting out, more intermediate or advanced, as in this one. Tongue blocked bends are not for beginners. But, if I can make my videos more accessible by tweaking the terms I use I'll try and incorporate that in the future. Thanks again for letting me know, Lee
Very Helpful..Been tongue blocking since yesterday....Managed to hit all my bends, but totally uncontrolled, all over the place, but at least I hit them by using your method..thanks
High fives! Now it's just a case of practise and perseverance. Perfecting them will take time. My suggestion would be to get used to playing tongue blocked between holes 4 to 6, lip purse 3, 2 and 1. This means nailing using 4d* as a bend. Once you've got that down in second position, try using 3d and 3d* with tongue blocking. It can be a bit over whelming to play everything tongue blocked straight away. Took me a long time and it's something I'm still working on. I only started to do tongue blocked bends in the upper register a few years ago and I'm a long way from nailing the 10b*, and 10b**. Thanks, Lee
Thanks for your comprehensive reply. Yes you are right it is a bit overwhelming to try tongue blocking in everything. So I started using it in pos 1 tunes that I am familiar with, even this is not so easy, but it's a great learning curve, so I suppose it's just one of those things you have to go through. Cheers.
@portovechios It's definitely a case of once you starting getting some pitch movement with a reed, in this case draw 4, you will start to see glimpses of the technique required for tongue block bends. You need to focus in on the muscle movements, which need to be more from the throat.
Depending on the hole/reed learning to 'do' a bend will probably take a few months. But learning to bend well takes years. You are always refining it. Please watch my latest video "Learn Blues Harmonica in Weeks" to see what I mean. Getting genuine control of bends took me 5 years or so. But hole 3 took 15 and I'm still working on it. Lee
Very nice! How many months did it take you to learn to bend this way? Should it be a matter of months? Because I find that I can do it sometimes but then i can try it again like a mnute afterwards and then I cant do it again and the technique is lost. The process then repeats after I get it again. I really have to try to get control of it.
Hi Lee! Thank you very much for your time and effort. Your lessons are incredibly inspirational and exceptionally instructive. I started tongue blocking almost with no difficulty but on the left side of my mouth (air coming in through right side). Playing the harp the "normal" way round, is this simply wrong when you get down to hole 3, 2 and 1? Should be blocking on the opposite side for lower holes below 4? Should I be learning to block on the left side first all the way up to hole 7? thx
Hi there, well it depends which side you are blocking from. Myself, yes I would mostly block the side of the lower notes. So playing 4, I'd block 3 downwards. However, I play upside down, i.e. low notes to the right. So I do the reverse of most people.
@pritchharp Cheers. Yes it's always tough to try and change something you've been doing for a long time. I would say creating one's personal level of balance between tongue blocking and lip pursing is one of the hardest things to do on this instrument. I still struggle with that balance. I've tried to approach my TB video series with that in mind. Warm regards, Lee
Well if It works for you Bob, that's all good. You can "power" bends in different ways. The main thing is that the technique you use allows you to get the control and accuracy. How you are bending differently from me?
@HarpoonTA I would say the fact you find it easier to bend the 2 than the 4 is unusual. But bending on the other side of your tongue for the 1 hole is quite typical. It's the same for me in fact. If you can hit all 3 bends on the draw three tongue blocked and with accuracy you would have mastered one of the most challenging parts of this wonderful instrument. Lee
Hi Lee. I'm moving from pursing to tongue blocking and struggling with the 2 and 3 hole draw. I'm not sure if it is neccessary to place my teeth on the harp covers to be successful. I can get the 3 draw working with my lips on the harp but find they get in the way for the 2 draw. Can you please offer some advice. I'm reluctand to get my teeth onto the harp but will use my top teeth if it necessary to achieve the seal needed for good compression on the 2 hole bend.
Hi David, well off the bat, definitely no teeth on the harp. Not required and a bad idea. A few of things to consider. A) I would suggest playing for quite a while using lip pursing for holes 1, 2 and 3 and tongue blocking on 4 and above. This will give you time to embed TB'ing into your playing. So it's not a case of once you can TB on 4,5, 6, 7, etc to say, great got it let's move on. Take some time to really bed that down. Don't switch wholesale straight away. Also if you haven't been playing that long you want to be sure you have accurate bends on the draw 3 and 2. I played this way for over 10 years before adding 3 and 2. Not saying you should do the same, but definitely take your time. B) If you think you are ready to add more holes, just add one of them i.e. the 3. Again this will enable you to build on what you have. You'll also probably struggle with losing the accurate LP bends and be in a bit of spin trying to switch fluidly between LP and TB. Plenty of complexity in just adding one hole. But if you can't accurately bend with LP I would caution trying to add TB bends. C) Getting the block on 3, 2 will feel a bit weird initially. Remember the holes are the same size and the principals are the same, so you don't have to make huge adjustments to TB 3 from 4. Try angling the free end of the harp away from you a bit until you have a handle on the tongue position. D) TB Bending can seem impossible at first. Like the reed weighs a tonne and won't budge at all. This is most extreme on the high end blow bends e.g. 10 and 9 and also on 3 and 1. But they can all be bent using tongue blocking. I cover the core techniques in my TB series but like all these things it's a question of practise. Hope this helps, Lee
@leesankeygroup Hi. Yes, I can TB bend but with some weird limitations; I can do it quite easily on the 2 + 3 holes but not as easily on the 4 , for some reason. On the 2 hole I can also bend half a step with ease, although the tonality needs improvement. The weirdest thing for me is the 1 hole - I find it easier to bend through the left side of my mouth, while tougher to bend from the right side (the regular side that I use while TB). Did you encounter similar hurdles while converting to TB?
Hi Lee, I’ve been practicing a fair bit with the tongue blocking and am just wondering about when you get to hole 1. Do you slide off the harp and just leave hole 1 in the mouth or do you tongue switch over to the right (your left) and block say 2&3 to leave hole 1.i find keep wanting to just slide almost off the harp . Cheers Ian
Hi Ian, good question. I do both depending on what I'm playing at the time. If I'm playing the 1D as a stand alone note or simple phase I will mostly TB it. But I also some times TB the 2 and 3 from the right. I can play either side around the 1-4 holes. But my left block is stronger.
hi there love your lessons but i have a question how do you get thedifferent levels of bend for example a full-tone bend? i just can´t figure it ou cheers
...continued... a case of refinement in terms of pitch accuracy, tone while bending, vibrato and so on. For pitch accuracy try using an app or tuner to match your bends to the note you are trying to achieve. Or a guitar or piano if you play those. If you practise it will happen for you. It may not be as easy as you first think, but keeping going and it will click. When it does, your work is just beginning. I've been playing 20+ years and am still trying to get my bends right! Hope this helps
Hey Lee. Big discussion on Modern Blues Harmonica got me to watch this. This is illuminating, because when people talk about throat bending, I assumed no tongue was involved and I could never get it. You say both the tongue and throat are involved and analyzing what I do, that's what I do. Perhaps it is just the feeling I get when I lift my throat, but it feels like my tongue pushes a smidge harder against the harp. I also favor closing my jaw a bit. Winslow Yerxa is suggesting that those two elements are psychological and do not affect the bends. If you were to really analyze what you do, do you feel any more tongue to harp pressure on a bend and does your jaw remain slack or slightly close? Also, David Halliwell comments about teeth on the harp and you say it's a bad habit but don't explain why. I definitely put my teeth on the harp for tongue blocking. It doesn't hurt, it doesn't slow me down. Why do you advise against it? Thanks, Michael
Hi Michael, your channel is cool by the way, if I've not mentioned it before. A tonne of quality lessons. Re bending: I think sometimes people get hung up on the idea there's 'one' technique. Like many things, there are multiple ways to do bend on the harp, so it's a case of refining your own approach/es, which clearly you do anyway. For me, the tongue and throat are involved in TB bends, I have become more aware of that as I've learned to TB the high end. It's not so much about the tip of the tongue i.e. where it makes the seal. A good seal is a good seal, I don't push harder to bend. For me the crucial part, is what happens at the back of the tongue and the relationship/cavity between the roof of the mouth. I try and drop the jaw when bending so not to lose the tone. You may notice with a lot of players that their tone thins out on bends. This is because they are reducing the size of the mouth/throat cavity. Re teeth: I'm trying to imagine how far in my mouth the harp would need to be in so that my teeth would be touching the reedplates. i.e. past my lips. It just doesn't seem necessary. Maybe it's physiology? Maybe you have long teeth or a small mouth aperture or something (ha ha). When I try that it's like the chalk on black board thing. Ultimately, if it doesn't bother you, cool. Clearly you can play. Lee
Hi Lee, "FANTASTIC" explaination on tongue block bending. You do have to talk to explain yourself and you do a great job. Just listening to you play "like someone suggested", will not explain the method. Cheers. Des
Well are you trying to bend a note where you can only do a semi-tone? E.g. Draw 4? If you are having this problem on draw 2 or 3 then sorry I don't have anything else add via a comment box. You have to practise. Lee
Hi Lee my question is when u tongue block bend ( T.B.B. ) just made that up. so any way . when u bend the 4 does the Tongue block the the 3 hole? Thanks
i started playing harmonica with tongue blocking meaning that i cant bend or even play by lip pursing. so is it possible for me to bend while tongue blocking or should i go learn lip pursing method first?
Hi there, yes you can play bends tongue blocked. I play nearly everything tongue blocked including all the bends. It is harder to learn to bend tongue blocked, but not impossible. The trick is to start on a draw reed which only requires a semi-tone bend. So the 4d or 6d. Trying to bend the 2d or 3d or 1d tongue blocked is tricky to do to begin with. I'd also recommending learning some lip pursing as well. It's useful to be able to do both, even if you favour one over the other as a player. Good luck and let me know how get on. Thanks, Lee
Hi Lee, after practicing for 3days with increasingly success I found that I’m not lifting back of the tongue but actually have a feeling of pulling back my throat when inhale to produce bending. Is that a correct feeling or something need to be changed? Cheers.
Hi, pulling back with the throat will change the shape of your mouth chamber which is part of the bending process. So this may produce a bend. But I would suggest you will find it tough to produce accurate bends, especially in the high register with this technique. Are you able to hit full bends accurately this way at the moment? Remember it's only been a few days. So it sounds like you are just starting the journey. Your technique is bound to improve with practise. To really answer this question, someone needs to hear you produce a bend to give you some personalised tips. I'd suggest having a private lesson with a local professional player or with someone over Skype. Thanks, Lee
@leesankeygroup I'd like to hear you play. I like to hear harmonica solo pieces. And thanks for the intsruction videos, you'r help can't be measured in words. You are now my Harmonica God (with Gussow) :)
My question also applies to bending. When tongue blocking the lower holes and playing the harp the "normal" way round, should I be blocking on the right side of my mouth? It just feels weird trying to bend hole 2 draw whilst blocking just hole 1 on the left side....
@g0moz Thanks so much! As a lip purser if you can change the focus of your bends as described here, you'll be able to do them tongue blocked. Let me know how you get on. Lee
I think that your explanations are excellent but when you talk I yearn for a demonstration that gives audible dimension to your lecture. Therefore, yes more videos with just playing as a supplement to the more verbal lessons. thanks
Technically it should be from the right, but there's no right or wrong answer here as the 1, 2, 3 bends can be played from either side. It's a case of which is your dominant 'anchoring' side? TB'ing will feel strange on the 1,2, 3, this is normal. It felt totally weird for me to TB the draw 2 from the left (the best way for me as I play upside down) for a very long time. Remember it will take years to really develop your technique. It's not easy. I am still developing mine. Best regards, Lee
Interesting. I have found, self-taught, that using the throat is the only CONSISTENT way to bend and control it. Instead of a ta draw in the front of the month, a ka draw in the throat is far more accurate and fluid. Hopefully, tongue block bending will come relatively quickly. I have been at the harp a lot of years.
There's no magic bullet or simple answer to this. To hit different bends e.g. semi tone, full tone etc requires specific pressures, embouchure, force etc. And these variables change between different keys of harps. So bending on say an F harp requires a different feel than to a G for example where the reeds are longer and require more effort to bend. It comes down to practise. Once you have the basic technique to bend i.e. you can change the pitch of a note, it's then.....continued...
I give up tongueblocking. It is too hard and feels too unnatural. The problem playing the harmonica is that the more you play the harder you realize it is.
+Late Spring Yes I know what you mean. It's so annoying when you can't pick something up in 13 minutes 19 seconds. Maybe give it a couple a days of practise to see if you make some progress. It took me years to really get the hang of it. Also there are many great teachers on RUclips, my approach is not for everyone. You guys are spoilt for choice. Try Adam Gussow, David Barrett or Ronnie Shellist; you may prefer them. Good luck
so, I played this tongue blocking bending 1video again, repeating the same thing over and over and over (over 13 minutes don't use your lips, use the back of the tongue . . .) what could have been covered in two minutes. You need to watch your video again. So little playing, so much talking, and a hapless riff at the And in the end, I never heard a strong tongue block bend. Also, you chose a hole(4) more challenging for tongue blocking than say hole 2 or 3.
I've watched this video for two days and now have the concept. I think after working on it for 3 to 6 months, it will become second nature. Great instruction.
Good job, Lee. You sure withstood the challenge of finding the words needed to describe the mechanics of TB bends.
Thankyou Lee, finally got after choking myself for 10 minutes! Helped me to anchor my tongue, form a koo and then imagine/visualize the air flowing directly over my tongue. This is without a doubt the best tb series i can find on youtube at the moment. Quality stuff
Well good for you if you managed to learn to tongue block bend after 10 minutes. Took me years. Glad you're finding the series useful. Lee
Lee Sankey did it really take you years not encouraging
Thanks a lot! I started playing harmonica a year and a half ago. I discovered your tongue block video's a few months ago, and once in a while I tried to implement some tongue blocking into my playing. Earlier this week I forced myself to really learn how to tongue block single notes and bends and after hours of practising this week (with the help of your video's) I'm playing completely tongue blocked! It still sounds a bit week sometimes but I'm getting there. Thanks, I'm a tongue blocker now!
Good god. For years I've been trying to figure this out and finally got it! Thanks Lee!
Thank you for your reply Lee. I've been carrying on following your TB videos attentively and am putting in the practice to develop the technique further. After about 4-5 hours of practice things start falling into place a little more...already feels much less foreign and daunting than at first and even just starting out and mixing it up with pursing you can really feel the benefits of TB and that 'connection' with the instrument you talk about. Looking forward to the years of practice!
Best,
G
Lee. Many thanks for your comprehensive, considered and quick response. You really understand where I am at.
My teeth are breathing a collective sigh!
I'll persevere with the 3 draw and add the 2 draw later.
I'm loving this tongue blocking - its delivering a total sound transformation.
Ha ha, I bet they are. Life's tough enough with all that sugar around. Glad the comments helped. Make sure you have the 4 draw and above 'down pat' before adding the 3. Better, IMHO, to have a stronger more fluid technique in a smaller area, than to TB everywhere but being imprecise and jagged. Keep us posted, Lee
First lesson of you I've seen and I must say, WOW. You explain everything, which is allmost unexplainable, so clearly and elaborate. I will be checking out ur other video's for sure!
This is the video I have been waiting for Lee thank you so much
Greetings, Lee! This is what I'm working on right now - tongue-block bending. I've got the tongue-block bending on 3 & 4 draw pretty well, but it's the 6 draw that's my new challenge. For me, it's about experiment, experiment, experiment - using trial and error, discovering where my tongue is and where it needs to be so that I can find that "sweet spot" to get that bend. Does that make sense?
Thanks Lee🙏🏻It‘s a pleasure (and a huge help too) to perceive your harp explanations
A pleasure. There are 25 lessons in this course so plenty more ideas to work your way through. Cheers, Lee
Thanks for the high praise Des. It's good to hear from people whether my explanations are clear and the information helpful. What stage are you at, do you play? Lee
@HarpoonTA Cheers, was dreading covering this. We will get into more detail in the next one. Can you TB bend? Regards, Lee
Excellent! I play for 1 year now. Starting as a pucker. Now i want to incorporate tongue blocking but cant get the bends. This is the explanation i needed. Thank you!
Another great video Lee! Really helpful as always.
cant stop looking at the way your chimney lines up with the roof. ;)
Lee, I DID IT!!! I'm dialing into that "sweet spot" for the 6-draw tongue-block bend. My goal is to make my tongue-blocked bends sounds as crisp and clean as my puckered bends, and I achieved a major breakthrough last night! After working on it while driving home from work last night, I nailed it while driving in to work this morning. I found that "sweet spot." I'm still going to work on really perfecting it, but MAN what a great feeling!
Whenever I'm working on a new technique or sound, and think I'll never get it. Then you have that "aha" moment and go "I got it! I got it!".....it's a great
feeling.
Nice one, now here's the thing. Once you start dialing into a bend, don't fall into the trap of being complacent and thinking 'yes I've got it'. The work is only just beginning. Now it's all about refinement. I still work on my bends after over 20 years. Lee
Hello, very nice comments, thanks. Someone else just asked the same question. When you're just beginning the 1st steps are to play accurate notes using TB'ing. Once you get the hang of it you can adjust your technique. Sounds as though you dominant side is backwards. But hey I play upside down, so what do I know! Normal way would be TB from the right down to the 2 and TB left on the 1. Start with LP'ing the 1, 2 and TB from the 3 up to the 6 or 7. Develop confidence on one side first! Lee
Another great video Lee! I'm making some progress now in the middle octave but it's really tough going back to basics after years of lip purse bending - especially for my wife's ears! Still, I'm convinced of the benefits so will stick at it. Thanks for your help, it's much appreciated!
Hello Lee I am a U blocker. I can bend this way. I am trying to learn to play by TB. I can get the single note, now to learn to bend by TB. Great video, now to practice and more practice. U blocking just came to me very easy. Norton Buffalo and John Nemeth both play great with the U blocking. Ronnie Shellist mixes pucker and TB. I have a lot to learn, but playing live a little and having fun. Thanks for all you do to help people with the harmonica.
Hi Tony, thanks for watching. Sounds as though you will have a range of techniques at your disposal! Lee
Great! This should help with this mental block I have at the moment, this is a big wall but I remember feeling the same with Pukker Bend but eventually it came and I don't even think about it any more.
Nice work Lee
@leesankeygroup Its just amazing how many accomplished musicians take the time here on YT to share there talent expecting nothing in return. Your lessons are top notch and I would expect to pay 25 to 40 for the same type of lesson here in New England.
Cheers
Todd
Thanks man
Very inspiring!
I’ve been U-blocking since I started playing harmonica for most hole 1,2,3 then tongue block right. Earlier i been working on little walters boggie but never really got the hang on real bending the hole way!!
I saw that you have played with Ian siegal real impressive live artist, that have played here in Lulea. I was in a group to book him.
Stay safe
same person asking the questions ;) It takes a great deal of mind trickery to be able to convince one's brain to tongue block on the opposite side than one's 'dominant' TB side.... almost feels like trying to sign your name with your non-writing hand! the tongue goes to the opposite side and yet the air just keeps flowing through the same side anyway!
Thank you once again Lee, i never thought id ever get a bend tongue blocking even though pucker bends are no trouble, this vid has helped me on my way, apreciate from Australia :)
Hi Isabelle, great to hear that my tutorials have helped you get tongue blocked bends. Well done for learning that technique, it can be quite a struggle. How long have you been playing? Lee
Makes total sense. Keep being persistent and it will come. When it does, just try to memorise the position. The draw 6 is easier than the draw 3 where you have 3 possible bends. Much harder to control than the one bend on the draw 6. My recommendation is to try and use the draw 4 well 1st. Cheers, Lee
Another helpful lesson, thanks!One thing which might help with bending in general....when I find that I can't get a bend, especially with tongue blocking...I find that if I pinch my nose closed, the bend often comes perfectly. A lot of my trouble is that I lose air through the nose. When I pinch my nose and get the bend, it proves to me that I can actually do it so I keep at it.Thanks again for all the great lessons!
Ok Thanks! I watched the blues harmonica in weeks video and it was very helpful. I never expected it to be easy from the start, but I wanted to hear from a person who is a good player to know how much time they recommend putting into bending. I've played the drums for 8 years and i love the drums but I've always wanted to be able to sing. Im a terrible singer but when I heard Sonny Boy II in action, I figured that theres an instrument that can make me sing, with enough practice.
I first attempted bending whilst tongue blocking yesterday; today I've just about gotten the 3 draw half step bend. I remember how long it took me to bend whilst lip pursing and hope that it isn't going to take quite so long to learn this new technique!
Hi Alex, well prepared to be disappointed my friend. It will all most certainly take years to properly learn to tongue block bend. It certainly took me a very long time. Sure you can pick up the basic idea of moving the reed and creating pitch variation but to really control a bent note with tone does take our old friend 'time' and practise again.
Hi Lee! Thanks for the video! One question: if the tongue is blocking one hole does the airflow comes over the tongue or on a side of it, to bend the next hole? Thanks, appreciate
Thanks for watching and your question. The air basically flows down the side of the area which is not blocked. It sounds more complicated than it is. Simple - you want to play 4D tongue blocked. Obviously you donn't block that hole otherwise it won't sound. You either block to the left or right. I.e you block holes 3,2 so D4 sounds. Or you block holes 5,6 and 4 sounds. Does this make sense? Lee
Appreciate the knowledge as always, Lee!
Nice one. I have posted in a while, hopefully will have some free time soon. Lee
@bluesnobrasil Brilliant to hear these videos are helping you directly and that my explanations make sense. We are all a long off where we would like to be! It's a life times work. Lee
Hi, thanks for the feedback. I think there are much better people on RUclips than me for beginner content - Jon Grindick for example. I don't really consider my lessons for beginners or people just starting out, more intermediate or advanced, as in this one. Tongue blocked bends are not for beginners. But, if I can make my videos more accessible by tweaking the terms I use I'll try and incorporate that in the future. Thanks again for letting me know, Lee
Very Helpful..Been tongue blocking since yesterday....Managed to hit all my bends, but totally uncontrolled, all over the place, but at least I hit them by using your method..thanks
High fives! Now it's just a case of practise and perseverance. Perfecting them will take time. My suggestion would be to get used to playing tongue blocked between holes 4 to 6, lip purse 3, 2 and 1. This means nailing using 4d* as a bend. Once you've got that down in second position, try using 3d and 3d* with tongue blocking. It can be a bit over whelming to play everything tongue blocked straight away. Took me a long time and it's something I'm still working on. I only started to do tongue blocked bends in the upper register a few years ago and I'm a long way from nailing the 10b*, and 10b**. Thanks, Lee
Thanks for your comprehensive reply. Yes you are right it is a bit overwhelming to try tongue blocking in everything. So I started using it in pos 1 tunes that I am familiar with, even this is not so easy, but it's a great learning curve, so I suppose it's just one of those things you have to go through. Cheers.
@portovechios It's definitely a case of once you starting getting some pitch movement with a reed, in this case draw 4, you will start to see glimpses of the technique required for tongue block bends. You need to focus in on the muscle movements, which need to be more from the throat.
Congratulations Lee and thank you so much for this new lesson. It will help me making new steps.
Friendly :
Steph.
Depending on the hole/reed learning to 'do' a bend will probably take a few months. But learning to bend well takes years. You are always refining it. Please watch my latest video "Learn Blues Harmonica in Weeks" to see what I mean. Getting genuine control of bends took me 5 years or so. But hole 3 took 15 and I'm still working on it. Lee
Great stuff Lee! This is like a trail to the Holy Grail. I am making steps. Thanks very much. Cheers
Eric
Very nice! How many months did it take you to learn to bend this way? Should it be a matter of months? Because I find that I can do it sometimes but then i can try it again like a mnute afterwards and then I cant do it again and the technique is lost. The process then repeats after I get it again. I really have to try to get control of it.
Hi Lee!
Thank you very much for your time and effort. Your lessons are incredibly inspirational and exceptionally instructive.
I started tongue blocking almost with no difficulty but on the left side of my mouth (air coming in through right side). Playing the harp the "normal" way round, is this simply wrong when you get down to hole 3, 2 and 1? Should be blocking on the opposite side for lower holes below 4? Should I be learning to block on the left side first all the way up to hole 7?
thx
Hi there, well it depends which side you are blocking from. Myself, yes I would mostly block the side of the lower notes. So playing 4, I'd block 3 downwards. However, I play upside down, i.e. low notes to the right. So I do the reverse of most people.
@MrDzhimbo Wow that's great feedback. Hearing that you got the technique via this video makes me smile. Good stuff.
Nice one, I've posted about 70 videos now, a combination of lessons and live performances. Cheers, Lee
Same question, how long have you being trying to learn harmonica?
@pritchharp Cheers. Yes it's always tough to try and change something you've been doing for a long time. I would say creating one's personal level of balance between tongue blocking and lip pursing is one of the hardest things to do on this instrument. I still struggle with that balance. I've tried to approach my TB video series with that in mind. Warm regards, Lee
True indeed. It's a process, and I'm always working on it. Thanks, bro.
Thanks, exactly what I'm searching for.
Holy shit, I'm realising I bend in a completely different way from you. I thought my way was... the standard. I use my tongue and througt.
Well if It works for you Bob, that's all good. You can "power" bends in different ways. The main thing is that the technique you use allows you to get the control and accuracy. How you are bending differently from me?
@HarpoonTA I would say the fact you find it easier to bend the 2 than the 4 is unusual. But bending on the other side of your tongue for the 1 hole is quite typical. It's the same for me in fact. If you can hit all 3 bends on the draw three tongue blocked and with accuracy you would have mastered one of the most challenging parts of this wonderful instrument. Lee
Hi Lee. I'm moving from pursing to tongue blocking and struggling with the 2 and 3 hole draw. I'm not sure if it is neccessary to place my teeth on the harp covers to be successful. I can get the 3 draw working with my lips on the harp but find they get in the way for the 2 draw. Can you please offer some advice. I'm reluctand to get my teeth onto the harp but will use my top teeth if it necessary to achieve the seal needed for good compression on the 2 hole bend.
Hi David, well off the bat, definitely no teeth on the harp. Not required and a bad idea. A few of things to consider.
A) I would suggest playing for quite a while using lip pursing for holes 1, 2 and 3 and tongue blocking on 4 and above. This will give you time to embed TB'ing into your playing. So it's not a case of once you can TB on 4,5, 6, 7, etc to say, great got it let's move on. Take some time to really bed that down. Don't switch wholesale straight away. Also if you haven't been playing that long you want to be sure you have accurate bends on the draw 3 and 2. I played this way for over 10 years before adding 3 and 2. Not saying you should do the same, but definitely take your time.
B) If you think you are ready to add more holes, just add one of them i.e. the 3. Again this will enable you to build on what you have. You'll also probably struggle with losing the accurate LP bends and be in a bit of spin trying to switch fluidly between LP and TB. Plenty of complexity in just adding one hole. But if you can't accurately bend with LP I would caution trying to add TB bends.
C) Getting the block on 3, 2 will feel a bit weird initially. Remember the holes are the same size and the principals are the same, so you don't have to make huge adjustments to TB 3 from 4. Try angling the free end of the harp away from you a bit until you have a handle on the tongue position.
D) TB Bending can seem impossible at first. Like the reed weighs a tonne and won't budge at all. This is most extreme on the high end blow bends e.g. 10 and 9 and also on 3 and 1. But they can all be bent using tongue blocking. I cover the core techniques in my TB series but like all these things it's a question of practise.
Hope this helps,
Lee
@leesankeygroup Hi. Yes, I can TB bend but with some weird limitations; I can do it quite easily on the 2 + 3 holes but not as easily on the 4 , for some reason. On the 2 hole I can also bend half a step with ease, although the tonality needs improvement. The weirdest thing for me is the 1 hole - I find it easier to bend through the left side of my mouth, while tougher to bend from the right side (the regular side that I use while TB). Did you encounter similar hurdles while converting to TB?
Hi Lee, I’ve been practicing a fair bit with the tongue blocking and am just wondering about when you get to hole 1. Do you slide off the harp and just leave hole 1 in the mouth or do you tongue switch over to the right (your left) and block say 2&3 to leave hole 1.i find keep wanting to just slide almost off the harp . Cheers Ian
Hi Ian, good question. I do both depending on what I'm playing at the time. If I'm playing the 1D as a stand alone note or simple phase I will mostly TB it. But I also some times TB the 2 and 3 from the right. I can play either side around the 1-4 holes. But my left block is stronger.
Thanks Lee very helpful cheers
hi there love your lessons but i have a question how do you get thedifferent levels of bend for example a full-tone bend? i just can´t figure it ou cheers
...continued... a case of refinement in terms of pitch accuracy, tone while bending, vibrato and so on. For pitch accuracy try using an app or tuner to match your bends to the note you are trying to achieve. Or a guitar or piano if you play those. If you practise it will happen for you. It may not be as easy as you first think, but keeping going and it will click. When it does, your work is just beginning. I've been playing 20+ years and am still trying to get my bends right! Hope this helps
Hey Lee. Big discussion on Modern Blues Harmonica got me to watch this. This is illuminating, because when people talk about throat bending, I assumed no tongue was involved and I could never get it. You say both the tongue and throat are involved and analyzing what I do, that's what I do. Perhaps it is just the feeling I get when I lift my throat, but it feels like my tongue pushes a smidge harder against the harp. I also favor closing my jaw a bit. Winslow Yerxa is suggesting that those two elements are psychological and do not affect the bends. If you were to really analyze what you do, do you feel any more tongue to harp pressure on a bend and does your jaw remain slack or slightly close? Also, David Halliwell comments about teeth on the harp and you say it's a bad habit but don't explain why. I definitely put my teeth on the harp for tongue blocking. It doesn't hurt, it doesn't slow me down. Why do you advise against it? Thanks, Michael
Hi Michael, your channel is cool by the way, if I've not mentioned it before. A tonne of quality lessons. Re bending: I think sometimes people get hung up on the idea there's 'one' technique. Like many things, there are multiple ways to do bend on the harp, so it's a case of refining your own approach/es, which clearly you do anyway. For me, the tongue and throat are involved in TB bends, I have become more aware of that as I've learned to TB the high end. It's not so much about the tip of the tongue i.e. where it makes the seal. A good seal is a good seal, I don't push harder to bend. For me the crucial part, is what happens at the back of the tongue and the relationship/cavity between the roof of the mouth. I try and drop the jaw when bending so not to lose the tone. You may notice with a lot of players that their tone thins out on bends. This is because they are reducing the size of the mouth/throat cavity. Re teeth: I'm trying to imagine how far in my mouth the harp would need to be in so that my teeth would be touching the reedplates. i.e. past my lips. It just doesn't seem necessary. Maybe it's physiology? Maybe you have long teeth or a small mouth aperture or something (ha ha). When I try that it's like the chalk on black board thing. Ultimately, if it doesn't bother you, cool. Clearly you can play. Lee
Hi Lee, "FANTASTIC" explaination on tongue block bending. You do have to talk to explain yourself and you do a great job. Just listening to you play "like someone suggested", will not explain the method. Cheers. Des
I would agree whole heartedly.
Well are you trying to bend a note where you can only do a semi-tone? E.g. Draw 4? If you are having this problem on draw 2 or 3 then sorry I don't have anything else add via a comment box. You have to practise. Lee
@gaijin134 Wow, great feedback. Explaining bending is very difficult so glad the concept comes across.
@ddtee1 O.k thanks for the feedback. Do you mean not talk so much in my tuitional videos or upload more videos where I just play?
Great lesson, Thanks for paying it foreword.
Hi Lee my question is when u tongue block bend ( T.B.B. ) just made that up. so any way . when u bend the 4 does the Tongue block the the 3 hole?
Thanks
i started playing harmonica with tongue blocking meaning that i cant bend or even play by lip pursing. so is it possible for me to bend while tongue blocking or should i go learn lip pursing method first?
Hi there, yes you can play bends tongue blocked. I play nearly everything tongue blocked including all the bends. It is harder to learn to bend tongue blocked, but not impossible. The trick is to start on a draw reed which only requires a semi-tone bend. So the 4d or 6d. Trying to bend the 2d or 3d or 1d tongue blocked is tricky to do to begin with. I'd also recommending learning some lip pursing as well. It's useful to be able to do both, even if you favour one over the other as a player. Good luck and let me know how get on. Thanks, Lee
thanks anyway, but i have a noob question but how do you find out the key of a song? sorry for the question keep up the good work cheers
Hi Lee, after practicing for 3days with increasingly success I found that I’m not lifting back of the tongue but actually have a feeling of pulling back my throat when inhale to produce bending. Is that a correct feeling or something need to be changed? Cheers.
Hi, pulling back with the throat will change the shape of your mouth chamber which is part of the bending process. So this may produce a bend. But I would suggest you will find it tough to produce accurate bends, especially in the high register with this technique. Are you able to hit full bends accurately this way at the moment? Remember it's only been a few days. So it sounds like you are just starting the journey. Your technique is bound to improve with practise. To really answer this question, someone needs to hear you produce a bend to give you some personalised tips. I'd suggest having a private lesson with a local professional player or with someone over Skype. Thanks, Lee
@leesankeygroup I'd like to hear you play. I like to hear harmonica solo pieces. And thanks for the intsruction videos, you'r help can't be measured in words. You are now my Harmonica God (with Gussow) :)
@Tsutsomu Thanks Steph, I'll be posting another on TB bends in a few days. Lee
So instructive ! Thanks
My question also applies to bending. When tongue blocking the lower holes and playing the harp the "normal" way round, should I be blocking on the right side of my mouth? It just feels weird trying to bend hole 2 draw whilst blocking just hole 1 on the left side....
@g0moz Thanks so much! As a lip purser if you can change the focus of your bends as described here, you'll be able to do them tongue blocked. Let me know how you get on. Lee
I think that your explanations are excellent but when you talk I yearn for a demonstration that gives audible dimension to your lecture. Therefore, yes more videos with just playing as a supplement to the more verbal lessons.
thanks
Technically it should be from the right, but there's no right or wrong answer here as the 1, 2, 3 bends can be played from either side. It's a case of which is your dominant 'anchoring' side? TB'ing will feel strange on the 1,2, 3, this is normal. It felt totally weird for me to TB the draw 2 from the left (the best way for me as I play upside down) for a very long time. Remember it will take years to really develop your technique. It's not easy. I am still developing mine. Best regards, Lee
How to tongue block low notes, specially the 2 draw?
yes that helps but i can't pass from the half-tone bend i can't make it any lower than the half- tone if you can answer thanks :)
this is tricky but im getting it, when lip pursed i find almost ball my tougue moves im finding a sweet tone this way
it works. Thank you.
Good to know
@@leesankeygroup I hope to find overblow lessons from you too becase nobody explains mechanisms of getting notes then you, Lee. Thanks again.
It tingles in your head.
I have a similar feeling. I can toungeblock, not bending, or I can bend not toungeblocking... not both, it's frustrating!
Thanks Lee!
@75ironhead603 Not sure I understand? But sounds positive, so thanks!
Interesting. I have found, self-taught, that using the throat is the only CONSISTENT way to bend and control it. Instead of a ta draw in the front of the month, a ka draw in the throat is far more accurate and fluid. Hopefully, tongue block bending will come relatively quickly. I have been at the harp a lot of years.
+ andrew beattie Congratulations on finding a technique that works for you consistently.
Yes, learning an instrument can be frustrating. How long have you been playing the harmonica? And how long have you been trying to tongue block? Lee
@ddtee1 I'll bare that in mind.
Chuckles, it's going to take a bit longer than that my friend. Watch my video called Learn Blues Harmonica in Weeks.
There's no magic bullet or simple answer to this. To hit different bends e.g. semi tone, full tone etc requires specific pressures, embouchure, force etc. And these variables change between different keys of harps. So bending on say an F harp requires a different feel than to a G for example where the reeds are longer and require more effort to bend. It comes down to practise. Once you have the basic technique to bend i.e. you can change the pitch of a note, it's then.....continued...
:) since February.
Totally, the harp is like a second vocal.
I give up tongueblocking. It is too hard and feels too unnatural. The problem playing the harmonica is that the more you play the harder you realize it is.
I wish you would play more than talk, although you are very articulate !
13 minutes could have been done in 4 minutes
I watched the whole video and did not learned to bend with tongue block!!!!!!
+Late Spring Yes I know what you mean. It's so annoying when you can't pick something up in 13 minutes 19 seconds. Maybe give it a couple a days of practise to see if you make some progress. It took me years to really get the hang of it. Also there are many great teachers on RUclips, my approach is not for everyone. You guys are spoilt for choice. Try Adam Gussow, David Barrett or Ronnie Shellist; you may prefer them. Good luck
look at video on same topic by Rhythm Slim to see how this topic should be explained and demonstrated.
so, I played this tongue blocking bending 1video again, repeating the same thing over and over and over (over 13 minutes don't use your lips, use the back of the tongue . . .) what could have been covered in two minutes. You need to watch your video again. So little playing, so much talking, and a hapless riff at the And in the end, I never heard a strong tongue block bend. Also, you chose a hole(4) more challenging for tongue blocking than say hole 2 or 3.