Bending – Animation & X-RAY

[Paul Sweeney]

#23818

These two links provide great anatomical visuals to understand the mouth & tongue mechanics to bend notes. It really helped me.

http://oleviolin.com/MundHarpe/eng/Blues_Harp_Bending_The_Notes.htm

https://ccrma.stanford.edu/courses/318/mini-courses/Winter2013/Bending%20Notes%20on%20the%20Harmonica.pdf

[CC]

#23823

Hi Paul,

It is very nice that you have selflessly shared what you have found for yourself regarding Bending. It is impeccable timing for me as I am just finishing up Step 6, though shakily and moving forward to Step 7.

I have once told Mitch that he is very brave to teach people with details for mouth and tongue movement in order to bend notes. I read some people could take years and never got it while others just clicked. So Paul, you must be a genius that you can conquer the Bending technique in such a short time.

For me, the animation link is easier to digest. I will have to turn on all the lights in my room when I gather enough courage to view all the Xray pics. These links will be in my reference library.

Thanks again.

[Paul Sweeney]

#23824

Thank you for your kind comments. I wouldn’t say I’ve “conquered” bending, but it seems like I’m on the right path. Hopefully it’s not false confidence.

[Freddie]

#23825

What a fascinating look at bending! Thanks for these Paul

[Rooftop Cat]

#23830

I too found these fascinating. Aside from being better able to pinpoint what the heck we’re actually doing inside our bodies, the thing that helped me personally progress was just practicing bends every day. All the reeds are at rest until you start suckin’ on ’em. Just a matter of exactly how much suck is needed and correct embouchure for tone. If you can bend yesterday, you can bend further today, and even further tomorrow! So keep trying! The more you become accustomed to bending further and further, the easier it becomes.

In fitness, there’s an essential concept, the “overload principle,” that states that you need to continually push your body to notice improvements. Same theory applies to bending. The tongue is a muscle, after all! Well, 8. In order to strengthen any muscle, you need to work it – train your neurological response to the load, break down muscular fibers though rigor, and build them back stronger w/ proper nutrition / stretching. All it takes is more perseverance to train your brain around the mistakes and instead stick to the good sounding stuff.

“What you put in, is what you get out.” ~ James Cotton [https://vimeo.com/212090583]

[Mitch Grainger]

#23833

Nice one Paul!

Thanks for sharing.

It was great to see you at the webinar the other day too!

😊

Mg

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