How To Bend a Note on Harmonica for Beginners
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- Опубликовано: 22 апр 2021
- ► For the complete free harmonica lesson, and to find the free slow, medium, and fast jam tracks to play along with this lesson, go to: www.harmonica.com/how-to-bend...
The goal of this video is to help a beginner harmonica player who has never achieved harmonica bending before, to get their first note to bend on harmonica.
What is Harmonica Bending / Why learn to bend 0:30
2 Interrelated Techniques of Harmonica Bending 1:18
How Harmonica Bends are Activated 2:09
How Harmonica Bends are Tuned 3:54
Bending Prerequisites 4:30
Let’s Get Your 1st Bend! 5:40
The Airplane Diving 6:10
The Tilt Bend 7:43
Vowels EE-YAW 9:39
Vowels KAH-YOO 10:40
Help from the Bend-it-Better Tool 11:43
Long Train Runnin’ by the Doobie Brothers Lesson 13:30
How to Start a Note from the Bent Position 14:26
Long Train Running by the Doobie Brothers Play-along 16:10
Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple Lesson 16:57
Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple Play-along 18:26
Take Me Home Country Road Lesson 19:04
Take Me Home Play-along 20:03
It can also be helpful for someone who wants to understand the ins and outs of harmonica bending in more depth.
To find the free slow, medium, and fast jam tracks to play along with this lesson (Long Train Runnin’, Smoke on the Water, and Take Me Home Country Road) click here: www.harmonica.com/how-to-bend...
When we start playing, I’m playing a C harmonica for this lesson. Any 10-hole diatonic harmonica in the key of C will work for you to follow along with this lesson. The C harmonica is the key I recommend using when trying to get your first bend, and I recommend the -4, or perhaps the -1.
IMPORTANT! There are Prerequisites for Harmonica Bending!
Before you start working on bending, make sure you’ve mastered the Deep Relaxed Mouth Position and that you can play clear single notes using lip blocking. These techniques will ensure that you have the proper seal required to be able to bend well. Learn More: www.harmonica.com/lessons/
Thank you so much for watching my video on how to bend a note on harmonica for beginners. I hope you enjoyed this free lesson on how to get your first bend. If you have succeeded in bending a note on harmonica, congratulations! And I hope you’ve enjoyed learning some fun riffs!
If you have any questions about harmonica bending, or anything about the harmonica, please leave me a comment below.
Aloha!
Luke 
Хобби
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I have been playing harmonica on and off since I was 11 years old. I could not play the blues just straight harp because I could not bend. I am now 65 and after watching this video, I finally could do it. I can now start playing the blues. Thank you so very much.
WOOOOO HOOOOOO!!!! CONGRATS!!! Just in time for the New Year! Have fun...
🎉🎉🎉 hey Luke, you’re the bomb man. Thank you for all your lessons. I’m just a beginner I’m an ex-drummer. I also play a little Hammond, Oregon with a Leslie speaker but I love harmonica the best thanks buddy keep up the great work we appreciate you more than we can say take care and God bless❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉😊
All these years not able to bend and then watching this video I can bend now although not very good yet, Thank you so much LUKE!!!
Wooo hooo! CONGRATS! You got this!
@@Harmonicacom Thank you for the reply, The only problem I have bow is dry mouth because of medication any tips for dry mouth?
@@Harmonicacom i can do it on first but not on four
You’ve explained bending the best... I’ve been trying for years and came across your video... Thank you
Wow, man I'm proud of you; I'm catching hell something fierce, but I will not be defeated..
You're a magician. After tons of tutorials and not getting it, with yours I got my first bend in an hour. I don't even know how it just feels natural now. Thank you vert much from my small lutherie workshop in Madrid, Spain!
WOW! This totally made my day. CONGRATS ON GETTING YOUR FIRST BEND! I'm so happy. Wish I could come visit you in Spain! Aloha from Hawaii, Luke
Hi. I’m 74 and just started playing the harmonica. I absolutely love it and you are my buddy. Greatest teacher ever you had so much to the video. I think you’re super thank you for your great lesson.. keep it up. I’m loving it thank you.
Wow, thanks! Rock on! 😎
I just started playing the harmonica, and I've tried several online tutorials. This is, by far, the best I've found.
As for bending, I've found the less I focus on it and just "do it" the easier it is. Thanks for creating such a chill "environment" to learn in, I look forward to watching more videos and getting better, even if I can't play along with you since my harp is in E.
Thanks Bryan! Glad it's helping. And, YES, that's it man: Don't try HARDER, try EASIER. The less you care, the better you do. LOL. But it's true.
Also...Dude, I definitely recommend that you buy a C harmonica! Maybe a Fender Blues Deluxe if you're on a budget. Here's my brand recommendation article: www.harmonica.com/which-harmonica-to-buy/
me too
😂🤣😂🤣 I have the same issue, my Harp is in E too, but because I’m enjoying playing So Much, I’m going to purchase a C Harmonica as soon as possible. Although I’ve only been learning for the past few weeks, I’m enjoying this instrument so much, I’m all in. Keep practicing and I wish you only the best. Be well.
Amazing, thorough and very supporting teaching right there.
My friends got me a C Hohner blues harp for my bday years ago while we were juke joint hopping in Clarksdale, Mississippi. A bunch of Europeans digging the blues... and I've just begun playing it after watching your videos. So, thank you a million.
got a Hohner special 20 in C yesterday night, been loving it so far, so much more of an intricate instrument than I thought, Ive gotten a bend going a bit I'm sure just needs some practice! Ty for the great easy to digest info!
You are one heck of an instructor. You’re knowledgeable, articulate, and are very good at illustrating what I consider esoteric and sometimes complex topics pertaining to the harmonica. There are not many people like you. Thank you.
Wow, thank you for your kind words! 🙏🏼
Hey Luke .... you have a lovely manner and your a damn good teacher, by far the best I've come across, you don't seem to leave a stone unturned leaving me with no excuses/questions; just have to go and practice and practice and ..... thanks and cheers from Margaret River Western Australia.
Ваши уроки великолепны! Спасибо большое)
3 hours of practicing and now i can do basic bend!
Thank you so much!!!
Fantastic! HUGE CONGRATS!!!!
I just bought my harmonica yesterday out of curiosity and apparently there's much more to it than I would have imagined.
You have explained the technique extremely well and I can now consistently bend the first draw. The other ones still won't even budge, but you gave me a head start. Thank you!
Right on Sully! Here are some important fundamentals I encourage you to practice first:
www.harmonica.com/how-to-play-the-harmonica/
Rock on,
Luke
You are a gifted educator. Thank you. I loved all my classes with you thus far. Keep up the great work X
Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate it Emma!
Omg. You are an amazing teacher Luke. This was a phenomenal lesson. I was able to bend those notes by the end of this. All of your techniques combined make it so do-able. It just clicked after weeks of messing around with it by myself. I’m hooked.
Glad it was helpful, Al!
Been watching so many videos on harmonica. You are the best. You teach it simple and keep it simple. And make it easy to understand. Thanks for taking the time to do this!
You're very welcome, Greg! Thanks for watching, and thanks for your kind words. ROCK ON! 🤘🏼
so great!🙏
Have been playing around with the harmonica for about 2 months. Tried to learn bending for a few weeks by following several different videos but you explained very well. Just now got the 4 bend for the first time. Thanks alot!!
WOOO HOOOO!!! CONGRATS!!! Sometimes the days and weeks after getting your first bend can be super-frustrating as the ability comes and goes, so be patient with yourself. Congrats again!
Aloha,
Luke
Finally, thank you! I just did my first bend and I had watched quite a few videos but this is the one that helped the most.
Great to hear!
SUPERB and QUALITY - lesson...! Explains so much in one video !!! And what a genuine nice guy / good teacher , as a bonus...Many Thanks..
Right on. Thank you for your kind words, and I'm glad it was helpful.
Rock on,
Luke
Worked instantly. Thanks, this was so helpful, best video i could find on the topic!
wow! BIG CONGRATS on getting into bending! It's a whole new world! Woooo hooooo! 😎
I did it! I'm so excited. Thank you Luke.
Awesome. BIG CONTRATS my friend. Rock on! 😎
Thank you very much! The best harmonica teacher i found in RUclips.
You're very welcome. And thanks for your kind words!
Great teaching! Thanks for breaking this process down so nicely.
You're very welcome! Glad it helped, Linda!
Hi, many many thanks for your precious tips
My pleasure 😊
I just started and I did get my first bend! I’m in a cover band and I’m expected to play the harp solo at the end of the Pretenders song Middle Of The Road! I needed that bend technique. Thank you so much!
Congrats Irene! That's a HUGE accomplishment!!!
Helped me a lot. TY
You're welcome. It's my pleasure. Rock on! 😎
This actually worked, impressed. Subbed directly
WOO HOO!
Thanks Luke! This video is gold... pure gold!
Glad it was helpful! Rock on! 😎
자세한 설명이 도움이 많이 됬어요
고마워요😂
Awesome video! Great teaching techniques man, I was able to get the bend pretty quickly!
Nice work!
First time I try harmónica, this is my third video on youtube about how to bend, took me literally 10 mins and I can do it now!! THANK YOU, YOU'RE A LEGEND!!! 🙏🏽
Wow, that's amazing. Congratulations! Nice work! Glad the video helped. ROCK ON. 🤘🏼
Hello Luke! I commented already in your website but needed to thank you again here for your analytic, simplified explanations. You were the best so far to break up everything around bending a begginer needs to go forward, in pieces. Wish you and your loveones all the best and keep up the good work!
Awesome, thank you so much for you kind words! ROCK ON! 🎶
you're awesome guys thanks alot!!!
Sweet. You're very welcome Elias. Rock on!
Great stuff👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾
Right on David. Rock on, my man.
Hey I'm 58 and love the sweet sound of the Harmonica, Just bought my first to learn on! Your Tutorials are so informative and easy to follow.. Thank you so much 😊
Glad to hear it! Rock on! 😎
Great help!
Glad to hear it! Rock on. 🤘🏼
THANK YOU! your video is so perfect, i try to bending for a month, with your video, i can bend under 20 minute! now i can play blues!
You guys! I literally just did it on the 1 hole!!!!!! I bought my first harp today- the Special 20. I have never actually played harmonica but messed around with my dad's when I was a teenager. Thank you so much! I am really excited. I am covering Roadhouse Blues as a vocalist(yeah yeah- overplayed, but I have NEVER gotten to cover classic songs, let alone blues- my favorite genre) and heard the harp parts and decided yesterday that I am going to learn how to do it. I am so stoked!!!!!
That is awesome! Before you get too into single notes and bending (for Roadhouse Blues) make sure you have the right mouth position:
ruclips.net/video/3a_aXi1q8oY/видео.html
Also, Roadhouse Blues is a GREAT song! I love it, and that's why I included it in my Beginner to Boss course. People are gonna be blown away when you play it!
If you wanna check out Beginner to Boss it's here:
www.harmonica.com/lessons/
Rock on Joanna!
Aloha,
Luke
Finally i did it, i have been trying for moths until i tried with this technique, Thank you so much
You are so welcome Emiliano! 😊 And here's a HUGE CONGRATS!!!!!!! Welcome to a whole new world! 🙌🏼
Ok! I'm excited! Great Lesson, I just started, and I can already see this is heading in the right direction. I subscribed and added you to the top of my favorites page for easy practice access, Thank You!
Awesome! Thank you!
Got it. Thank you for the info 🙏
SWEET! Glad it was helpful!
I'm getting into harmonica and your videos have been sooo useful. Thank you!
I'm so glad to hear it! You're very welcome!
Excellent! Congrat's!
Thanks for watching!
Yeah, I succeded with your explenations ! Thanks so much. 😃
Great job!
I'm so glad I found your channel. I had so many issues with other tutorials. I feel like you get me bro!
Ha. Right on! Glad to hear it. 👍🏼 Thanks for the note.
I’m a totally new-beginner. You are an excellent teacher. I don’t need to think how to do it because you explain it perfectly. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful! You got this. 👊🏼
Second day playing harmonica. This just helped me learn it so well. Your vids are great!
right on Joshua. Rock on! 😎
You are a great teacher, my skills have improved dramatically since finding your channel today.
That's great! 🙌🏼 Glad to help.
Your videos have been the best and I am learning some basic techniques thanks to your great way of teaching!
Right on Gary! So glad that you're benefitting from them. Keep on rocking man!
Aloha,
Luke
Thank you!!! All techniques helps a lot! I bend the note, even I play just for 2 days. Just practise. Thank you again.
congrats!
thanx soooo much....could do my first bending with tilting...... sooooooo happyyyy.. thanx thanx thanx..soo positive teaching.. great.. thanx again..
Sweeeeet. BIG CONGRATS. 🙌🏼
Great lesson! I found the bend magic, FINALLY!!!
WOO HOO!!! CONGRATS ALYSON!!!!!
You are a very good teacher!! ❤ I had a lot of use of this video, for how to bend the notes! Thank you VERY much!!!!
You're very welcome, Marie!
Every Video is perfekt! Best regards from Germany, Steffen 🍀👍🏻
Thank you! Cheers!
You are amazing 👏👏thank you🙏🙏🙏🙏❤️
Thanks so much, and you are very welcome! Aloha.
U are amazing man!!!!! I learned to bend, its so much fun now!!!! :DD Ur such a great harmonica teacher, keep up the work!!
Sweet! Congrats! Thanks, glad you found helpful...
Luke maaaaaan! I have seen hundreds of harmonica related videos (not to mention books, CDs) but this explaination is the best (that presentation with sheet of paper etc). Lucky ones who see this first. Congratulations!
Wow, thanks! I really appreciate it.
I watched this first after seeing his review on the website!!!! I am one of those lucky ones!
This is the best bending tutorial on RUclips. As I was practicing along with the video all of a sudden, just for a second, I was hitting the bent note perfectly. Then I lost it. So I'm trying to focus on what it feels like when the note bends properly and seeing if I can make my mouth shape feel like that again. But I was amazed that, even though I can't control it yet, how far that 3 draw would bend. Now I just have to go from the "sometimes it happens, sometimes it doesn't" phase to understanding how I'm controlling it. But before this video, it never bent. Awesome!
Right on. Thanks for your kind words. And CONGRATS ON GETTING A BEND!!! WOO HOOO! Yep it may come and go for days or weeks, but you'll get it. 👌🏼
Thank you so much..I've learned so much because of your fun attitude..Comical and fun to follow you..Now I need to practice practice..
Awesome, I'm so glad to hear that. Keep on playing, and having fun, my friend. Rock on!
Aloha,
Luke
Excellent video....!!!!
Gives me a lot of things to work on..!!
Right on Ray. Bending is the key to the soul, man. Have fun!
Great lesson thank you for this video ❤❤❤
You are so welcome!
Fabulous tutorial! Thank you!
You're welcome. Glad you liked it!
great work dude!! I got everything perfectly...you're an awesome teacher...now just hard practice comes ahead...regards from Chile
Awesome! Thank you! Mucho gusto. Yes. As I always like to say:
Don't try harder, try easier. ;-)
Relax. Breathe. Have fun.
Aloha from Hawaii,
Luke
Just got my new harmonica the other day. I can’t wait to learn!
You got this!
👌🏾 helping me to understand this awesome musical instrument, been loving this harmonica for for years, stil learning
Never stop Patrick!! Rock on! 😎
You certainly are the best teacher ever, and your tips are pure genius : I'd tried every trick in the book to bend a note properly, quite unsuccessfully - and then, after just a few minutes using your technique... it works!! Wow, what a great new year's gift!! Thank you!😃
Wow! Thank you for your kind words. I really appreciate it! Congratulations on your progress!!!! 🙌🏼
This is truly spectacular, what a lesson in bending. I came to this after watching your Amazing Grace lesson. I desperately wanted to bring in the bends but couldn't. Now I can 😃😃. I'm very happy 👍👍 Thank you so much
Wonderful! Big CONGRATS to you. That's a HUGE accomplishment. Stoked. Rock on! 😎
dude, same as below mostly, been trying my luck with these things over the years, as soon as I watched your vids, I'm bending notes without tilt, the tool on your site is awesome and thanks!
Hey big Congrats my friend! Glad the resources are helping. Rock on!
Thanks bro this really works ❤❤
SWEET! 🙌🏼
The best tutorial on yt! Thanks to you, i can finally get all the notes.
WOOOO HOOO! BIG CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU! And thank you for your kind words…
I'm in the same boat with the comment right below me. I've been teaching myself/ learning harmonica on RUclips, this is about the 4th person I watched and the 1st that explained it to where I got a bend. I've got a lot of practice to do, but I've finally managed to pull off a noticeable bend. I'll be watching all your lessons and I really appreciate your teaching technique
WOO HOO! CONGRATS DARELL!!! Getting your first bend is a huge deal.
This has helped a ton, thank you!
Yay! Glad to hear it, Emma. You're welcome.
Thanks for the advice. My first day with a harmonica. The advice to try , then take a break and try again, will really help me, cause I tend to get frustrated fast if it doesn't work. I'll keep tryin little by little as it's just my first day. Keep smiling. Great video!🎶👍
Right on Kevin! Great idea. Yeah, keep taking breaks. Keep smiling. Keep having fun!
Very well explained you are a awesome teacher
Thank you! 😃
The way you teach is fantastic!
Thanks Antonio!
Excellent
Thank you! Cheers!
Explain very well Thank you for your help.
You are so welcome. Glad it was helpful!
You're an amazing teacher.
Aw, thanks Khorshid! I appreciate your kind words.
Rock on,
Luke
As a bit of a musician i have picked up a harmonica quite a few times but never really understood it beyond its major chords - you just taught me how to bend a note in like 40 seconds after trying all day. 🎉
Aw thanks for the note. Right on. 🙌🏼
Professionals make bending look so easy, I thought I could just google it and voila! Did not realize what it actually takes to bend on a harmonica! Because of your vid, I bent my first note in about 10 minutes of practice. Wasn't much but it did bend! Thanks for giving me the tools to take my playing to the next level!
Awesome. Congrats! This tool might help you more:
www.harmonica.com/bending-tool/
Hi, just subscribed! Love how you teach, I can finally follow along, you explain everything in simple steps. Now I just have practice. Thanks so much! 👍
Awesome, Steve! Thanks for subbing!
Let's go dude I got it thanks so much
Aw, big CONGRATS. That's awesome!
Thank you u helped a lot
You're welcome, William!
Excellent tutorial, thank you. Got my first bend by the end of the video!
Fantastic! BIG CONGRATS!!!!! 🙌🏼
You’ve probably got this a billion times but I just showed my friends and family that I can play country roads take me home all because of you, thank you man.
Aw right on man. Thanks for sharing. Makes me happy. Rock on! 😎
I love your approach well depicted well spoken easily digested and easily bent my first note after many vids and much despair lol thanks for the awesomeness!
Glad it was helpful Anjel!
That was awesome. This was the most helpful tutorial on bending that I have found. I was bending notes within minutes.
AMAZING!! Rock on! 😎
Got half way through this video and got my first bend!!! Absolutely chuffed, great tutorial 😀
WOW ADAM! UNREAL!! CONGRATS!!!
Rock on,
Luke
Thank you so much Bro. Very good and informative video! 👌 Keep it up!
Glad it helped my friend!
You explained this so well that I was able to get my first bend while watching! Thank you!
CONGRATS!!!!!
The Kk zone really helped me. Thank you!
I'm so glad!
Hey Luke! I’m not lying when I say this is the best bending tutorial on RUclips! Despeite already knowing how to bend 4 and 6 I find your tips amazing! Thank you for that! I would like to ask you if you could go a little more in-depth about the 3 bends which I think it’s the most troublesome! Again, amazing content!
Wow, thanks! Yes, bending the draw 3 literally takes a lifetime to master. Unlike any of the other holes, there are 3 notes you can bend down to. The most common are the half-step bend -3', which is the minor 3rd in 2nd position, and the whole-step bend which is the major 2nd in 2nd position. You might like to check out the Bend it Better tool, as this can be really helpful to see what's going on when bending this note:
www.harmonica.com/bending-tool/
Hope that helps a little!
aloha,
Luke
Hi Luke, All the way from the other side of the ocean, thanks.. After many tutorials on bending, your YAW suggestion actually helped me to make my first bend.. Thanks very much!!
WOOO HOOOO!!! CONGRATS, ESTHER!!!!!! 😎🔥🎶
That's realy helpful video ;))) thank you Luke!:)
Happy to help! You got this! 👊🏼
good stuff Luke! thank you!
Right on, Chris. Glad you liked it! You're very welcome, my friend.
This was very helpfull
Right on Lukas! Nice name. 😉
A great explanation of how it works, never seen that before.
Right on. Glad you liked it. 👊🏼
Im 35 and have been playing on and off since i was around 15/16. Couldnt bend on command but i've accidentally bended plenty of times. That tip about tilting the harp helps give me hear the sound i need to chase. First vid i've seen about doing that so thank you. Tried that bending tool, on my C harp i can bend a few notes somewhat well )draw 1 bend is really easy) but on my G harp things are trickier.
Yeah lower harps require bigger movements. Keep on working on it. CONGRATS on getting the -1' !!!!!!!! 🙌🏼
I got it an hour after i watched the vid thank you you are a great teacher!
WOW! CONGRATS!!!!!! 🙌🏼 Thanks for the kind words.
Very good tutorial and encouragement.. Thank you Luke.. God bless you..
My pleasure, John! God bless you and your harmonica journey.
Rock on,
Luke
@@Harmonicacom Thank you so much, Luke.. Have a blessed day...