Harmonica Basics X - Learn to Play Harmonica Bending all the Draws

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Hello my name is Lucas "Playa T." Clebsch, and in this free beginner harmonica lesson, "Harmonica Basics 10 - Learn to Play Harmonica Bending All the Draws" I continue discussing how to bend the draw notes on a C Harp. In the beginning, bending notes on the harmonica can seem mystifying, but, with practice, patience, and perseverance, I believe that anyone can do it, and it's a lot of fun!
Most of the best blues harmonica songs require you to know how to bend before you can learn to play them on the harmonica. So learning harmonica bending is time well spent!
I go through each hole on the harmonica which can be bent while drawing (holes 1 -6.) I discuss how far each hole can be bent, and I play all the bends that can be acheived so that you can play along with them and check your intonation.
Hole 1 (half-step)
Hole 2 (whole-step...i.e., 2 half-steps)
Hole 3 (1 and a half steps....i.e., 3 half steps)
Hole 4 (half-step)
Hole 5 (quarter-step...i.e., you can't really bend it)
Hole 6 (half-step)
Thanks you for watching this beginning harp video on harmonica bending.
If you have any further questions, leave a comment for the video or connect with me via
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If you found this harmonica lesson helpful, please let me know and like it! Also, please subscribe to my channel. I will try to upload new harmonica tutorials often.
Aloha,
Playa T.

[@thomasgordon696]

learning things I did not know you could do with a harmonica, age 75 and learning feels great

[@dumperdan3446]

Thomas Gordon I love this comment. Learning is what life is all about.

[@HarpoonDon]

Yes, Thomas Gordon - I'm 70 and learning. It is sometimes fun, sometimes a struggle, but I have a dream so I'm still trying. Don.

[@roelhenkgabaut5765]

hey man. thnx for your vids. just started playing the harmonica and love it. ive been practicing bending from the start and just wanted to say your explanation is very nice. though i think it is easier to bend when doing the K method i have seen from John Gindick for me as a starter this worked very well. just do "kee koo kee" while inhaling! Also i have found it the easiest way for me to draw the 1 hole first. then i have found that the more up the harmonica the less you need to make the shape in your throat. when i do clean single note you "feel the reeds" vibrating. this is the same when then you bend them. you can feel the reeds. if you go to far the reeds will stop. so now for every hole you need to find the sweet spots like yo already said. also when you pivot the instrument a bit like you did at the end of the video its easier to bend because the air runs faster through the hole past your lips. only you will loose some good tone but can feel how much airflow is needed to bend that particular reed. after that you can ajust the amount of lowering the jaw to get that same airflow in the back of your throat to keep that nice rich tone. for the 4 ,5 and 6 draw i have noticed that the bending isn't that far in the throat as for the lower notes. i was allready bending them from the beginning without even noticing. that is probably the reason why people say the 4 draw is the easiest to bend. for me it was the 1 hole. also when jumping from bend to unbend on different holes using the koo kee method made it easier to change the shape in between the two notes. All credit for that goes to John Gindick for that! love your basic harmonica course m8 thanks for sharing your info with us! hope this makes sense to keep harpin

[@FunkyHarp]

All I can say is, "keep practicing!" :-) lol...it takes a lot of time. The motions you use in your mouth for the 1 draw are exaggerated compared to higher holes. The change will be less drastic and more forward in your mouth for higher notes.You may want to check out my lesson called "Response to Sam." Be patient and persistent, and it will come together! Blessings, Luke

[@garymerryman4132]

This is a Fabulous Lesson, You did a Great Job

[@FunkyHarp]

You can definitely bend with u block. Norton Buffalo (played w/Steve Miller and many others) is a u blocker and he can definitely bend! I don't u block so I'm not sure how to guide you. Obviously the vowel shapes idea doesn't work so well. I would imagine lowering the back of your tongue and raising your soft palette (as happens when you yawn) would be helpful to think about. But, if I were you, I would seek the advice of a fellow u blocker! :-) (Maybe check out Norton Buffalo videos!)

[@FunkyHarp]

What brand harp are you using? Are you puckering your lips (inside of your lips on the harp?) If not, that could be creating a constricted airflow which could be causing it. It's possible that it's the harp, and I've read that when this happens putting a lil' dab of glue or tape on the reed can help, but I've never tried it myself.... Hope that helps at least a little.....

[@FunkyHarp]

I'm sorry - I have never played a bluesband. But, YES, some of the cheaper harps are really hard to bend, so I would grab a Lee Oskar or a Hohner Special 20 C harp. And remember, be patient. I remember how frustrated I was when I couldn't get the darn notes to bend. Also, check out my "response to Sam" video. Blessings, Luke

[@FunkyHarp]

Great! Yeah, gotta have the right tool for the job, huh? :-) I've got about 27 videos up so far. You can search for each one (like "Harmonica Basics 11" would be the next one) and it will pop up. Or go to my channel FunkyHarp and they are all there. They build on each other, so you may want to go through them in order, skipping any that aren't interesting to you. Your previous post was in French I think? I don't understand it..... Peace, Luke

[@CesarMaroun]

Good job. I'm having trouble bending 4 or 6, I found hole 1 bend very easily, and I could also find hole 2 two bends afterwards. Everyone says the 4 is the easiest to get, but I just can't get it. Does this happen sometimes and why ?

[@benrivera9575]

Another thing, when you are bending the 3rd hole draw down 3 half steps, what vowels are you using when you do that?

[@FunkyHarp]

This might be helpful: Harmonica Lesson - My Response to Sam (3 draw bend 1/2-step intensive)

[@robinberglund289]

i can't do shit, what are you doing to your toung to bend?

[@MsNailArt5]

lmao same

[@roelhenkgabaut5765]

+Robin Berglund your tung should go to the bottom of your mouth. first getting a great single note with no leaking air is essential. then just go KEE KOO while inhaling , try to do it first without the harp and while you keep your mouth in the same position (good embouchure is very important here,fat lips) as Adam Gussow will say: no old maids mouth) try the 4 hole and 1 hole first. most people find these the easiest on a C harp!

[@1959Berre]

On my Hohner Blues Harp (C) I can bend to first hole perfectly well whitout any effort. The other five notes just won't, except when I pinch my nose. Aparantly I'm not the only one with this problem.

[@robertlaughman8297]

The ONLY thing I can't do is reach full step down on 2nd draw... Ugh Not even tilting

[@georgemas]

me too! I tried drawing my jaw as far as possible, almost chocked having my tongue back and the harmonica tilted very much but no result. I can even bend 7 but full 2...no....

[@dumperdan3446]

Robert Laughman same. Can’t full step, been trying for about two weeks

[@playandteach]

Is there anyone out there who can explain why I can get the draw 2 to bend when I hold my nose, but not if I don't? I know that flutes and clarinets are cylinders, and only overblow differently because one is a stopped tube (clarinet) and the other is open (flute). Is that relevant?

[@thelordblk]

I have a problem with the bends.. I've got a lee oskar major diatonic and the samples of bendings that I found are not the same from the ones I get on mine. I use the bendometer to practice and it says that my bendings are coming out but still they dont sound right to me. The bend of the 4 draw is the most problematic. It is the harp or it is me?

[@GloriousTobi]

Hey Luke, great Video! I´m playing now nearly 2 Weeks and got it with the bending with the help of your video right away but i´m not able to bend the draw 4. Best bend i get ist the draw 1. But you said that that would be the harder bend. When i bend draw 4 it always gives a metallic sound and no real tone. What am i doing wrong?

[@tnysteph]

Great lesson. I have been learning going on 3 years. I started out u blocking. That came easy for me. I am trying to get the pucker. Question can a person bend u blocking? You may not know, but I have to ask. Other u blockers tell me they can. This is all by e mail. Well I will stop here. I do like your style of teaching.

[@tnysteph]

Tony Stephens here again. I watched this video again. You said send a video for you to look at and you would give feedback. I would like to do that, I am not sure how to other than by e mail. Can I get an e mail address? Or tell me how to get it to you by KZbin. Thanks

[@Sergio10795]

Hi Lucas, I have just now started harmonica for like about 3 days now and I had a question on bending the 2 draw. Whenever I try most of the time it just starts to squeak and make a horrid sound. I don't know if you could help me on that but the sound is just horrible when I try to bend it a whole step

[@FunkyHarp]

Hey Barry - thanks for the note! Yes, the principles apply to all harps. Tough to say why it works sometimes and not others... Did you see my video entitled "Response to Sam"? That might give you some helpful insights. The 6 hole draw on a G harp will be a larger movement than on a C harp. If you want to upload a video, I'll give you what feedback I can. Keep on playing, brother!

[@rpavich]

Luke, first...thanks for these great videos..they are very helpful. I have a problem in that I can bend what holes can bend but I'm unable to bend "all the way down"...I get 1/4 or a bit more out of what should be a 1/2 step. And on the 4 draw...I can't "hold" it there...it rises back up...sort of like the "feathering the clutch" analogy....my foot slips and the car dies....does that make sense?

[@linaszyz]

What really helped me is holding my head straight. And even trying to reach my neck with the chin.

[@dumperdan3446]

Lukas Raginis hate when my head ain’t on straight

[@Exkobar13]

Man it sounds so good when you do it, I can bend it (2 hole meehh). that 4--2 line i can't do it fast, could you suggest some backing tracks or songs to learn so I can practice speed, or just some tips!! Great video by the way |.. |

[@rygy42]

:/ I can bend the one hole just fine, quiet or loud, but even when I try to do the exact same thing on other holes I can't bend at all. Any tips?

[@FunkyHarp]

Here's a playlist of all my videos about bending. You may particularly enjoy checking out the one entitled "My Response to Sam." kzbin.info/aero/PLyv42f0OGtPrbJBsATgLM883MjB4w64lJ

[@HarpoonDon]

Great lesson Luke! I can get 2-half-step and 2-full-step draw. Three hole I can get the first half-step, struggle to get the second half-step and don't have a prayer right now of getting the one-and-a-half step. Hole 4 I have had for months now. Hole six half-step is a pipe-dream.... Any advice besides keep practicing? Thanks, Don.

[@landztranz]

Very kind of you to respond! I'll check out that video. Thanks!!! P.S. Don't worry about me keepin' on playin'...I'm hooked! :-)

[@trabaduris1]

so i just started the harmonica few days ago. I have figured out how to move my mouth to get the bend on 1 draw...but that same technique i'm doing for the 1 draw...does absolutely nothing for 2 or 3.....i've watched every video i can find on youtube about the 3 bend and i am going nuts!

[@Exkobar13]

Darren Thompson that 2 draw is a pain in the ass!!

[@robgriffiths8194]

I got my first harmonica yesterday, I can bend the 1st one, but when i do the same thing on all the others nothing changes?

[@dianaatanasova3839]

Wow Luke, your videos are amazing and I love the way you explain and the energy you have. If I may venture, I have a question hah When I try to bend, sometimes there is a soundless moment, which I assume its normal, but still - how can I prevent this part while playing with the Iioooiiioo. Regards, Diana

[@jamiehubbard146]

i have only been playing harmonica for a couple of weeks and ur videos have helped me so much. awesome thanks dude 🖒

[@FunkyHarp]

yes, it might help.

[@sniffelur7996]

7:21 I allways get a "wobbly" bend when bending the 3 two steps, it sounds kinda like that, but not as extreme. Is there a way to play the 3 two steps bendt more cleanly?

[@mikemaners4411]

I’m just starting off, your stuff is great, thank you very much from Montreal!

[@Rysjin7717]

Thanks man, I couldn't bend any of the holes at all watched a ton of videos with no results the way you explained it by raising the back of the tougue and lifting the soft palate I was able to bend the first and second holes still struggling with the 3rd hole. and have bent the 4th hole a bit. thanks again.

[@georgemas]

I can bend seven! Is it okay or will I break the reed?

[@FunkyHarp]

Tony - Nice! I'm glad you're going to take advantage of that offer! Type into your KZbin search box "How to post a video response on KZbin 2013" and it shows you how to do it. (I had to watch that video so I could post a video response to Sam.)

[@FunkyHarp]

You're welcome. Yes, I recommend that you buy a good quality C harp! You can check out my video on brands.... Blessings, Luke

[@FunkyHarp]

Awesome Captain Bell - I'm glad France finds the videos helpful. Your English is great. Be patient with getting bending technique together. It took me a long time! :-)

[@FunkyHarp]

Awesome that you're bending so quickly!! I'm guessing that you're doing to large of a motion inside your mouth It will be a smaller movement more toward the front of your mouth for the 4 draw. Try slowing down the movement. You might also like my video response to Sam called "Response to Sam (3 draw bend 1/2-step intensive)" as it has some useful bending tips... Keep at it!!! Peace, Luke

[@BzBlade]

Like the only person who actually explained what your throat/etc parts needs to do in order to get those bend notes.

[@uripmargono946]

I wonder how to get the second and third bending note in the third hole. It seems to be very hard to do.

[@FunkyHarp]

Yes, that makes sense. Your muscles are learning to do things they've never done before. Keep at it! :-)

[@shanaxis9074]

help? i'm bending the note up rather than down somehow...

[@roelhenkgabaut5765]

+Leo Tsang its bending up as it should.

[@M8andy]

man! I was amazed to hear a clear whole step by thinking it lower, it really helped! thanks! now I need to make the transition between the half and whole step. awesome!

[@FunkyHarp]

Oh that's great to hear! As far as the transition goes, I've been working on it for like 26 years and still don't feel 100% comfy with it, so my advice is just enjoy the journey and keep playing with it!

[@billlaplant3789]

Do you ever give zoom lessons?

[@pintatedecolor]

I've start playing harmonica in (on?) december, and now I can bend 2, both half step and full step. The way I could do it was saying I - E- O (this in spanish... may be in english you would say E-A-O?) ... I mean, I'm doing what you teach, but for the half step I use the sound E (in spanish) in the middle. ;) Does hace sense what I'm saying? Is hard to explain the sound of letters in other language xD

[@FunkyHarp]

Si, te entiendo. Pienso que tu dices "ee" "ay" "oh" Que bueno que pedes harcerlos dos half-step y whole-step. ¡Hay que tocar ya!

[@tankizoltan1752]

best video I've seen so far

[@melaniebarsy]

mental note, dont do stars (★ a star)

[@Leontopofme]

The Bendometer really helps a lot! I'm already able to play all the 2 draw notes and I've been playing for less than a month (3 draw is a b*tch though)! This program really helped me learn the difference between the notes.You need to have Java installed, register the product and have a microphone. In the start it's free at least. Not sure about the costs after the trial. Thanks for the great lessons Lucas!

[@melaniebarsy]

Your video was the 1st to explain to me "what" it is im trying to achieve, but also to ☆★"UNDERSTAND"★☆ what im trying to achieve, but also to Know ☆★"HOW"★☆ to really do it. Thank you

[@SeanShackelford89]

1 and 1/2 bend on the 3 draw really?! haha. I'm getting the idea pretty good on my Marine Band in E most of the time but on my new special 20 in A its really hard to bend! And the notes seem to keep getting stuck or not coming through right.

[@FunkyHarp]

Yes, lower keys require more drastic motions in the mouth.

[@gatonauta2010]

Thanks for the lessons Luke, I've been through your previous videos and they have helped me a lot. I am still trying to do bending and can bring some of the holes all the way down, but it looks that there are some of them which are more difficult than others. The second and the third are very hard to get!!! The first and the fourth are very easy for me instead. My current harmonica is an old wooden Honner, I am thinking of buying me a plastic one to compare, do u think this has anything to do?

[@landztranz]

You're a wonderful teacher, Lucas! Thanks for this! Please tell me: Does everything you taught in this clip apply to all the other major key diatonics? I'm working on a riff with a bend on the 6th hole on my G harp and it's not so simple -- sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. What do u make of that? Barry

[@kakadrulli]

Yeah! Finally after 4 days, I managed to bend 4 and 5! 8 holes to go... Btw, you're an awesome teacher. Your videos seems so relaxed an natural without any script. After searching a lot on youtube, I will stick with your lessons!

[@Rysjin7717]

Thanks again I just found that one Luke, I really like your teaching method the vowels work.

[@nathanvandewater2964]

Oh yeah! I got my harmonica for 2 months now, and finally, I can bend the 2nd hole down now! Thanks alot Lucas, keep up the good work! And for the others, the advice Lucas gave about keep practicing, it worked for me! :)

[@mrsllrby]

Very useful tutorial. Figured out the 1 hole bend last night and the 4,2 and 3 hole 1/2 step today. I had been working on it for a good week or so about 30-60 minutes a day. The vowel sounds eeee to oooo was key and visualizing those sounds in your mind(at least for me).

[@MizzLeone]

Thanks Luke your videos are great! I just started playing a week ago and you've been really helpful, thanks!

[@benrivera9575]

Luke, what brand of harmonica do you use?

[@FunkyHarp]

I'm using Lee Oskars right now.

[@barryhunt8527]

Brill. Best one yet on bending. Bought a Marine band hohner today. Been sat here for 6 hours playing vids and you got me doin it straight away. Well done 🕺👍😀

[@melaniebarsy]

sorry sent by errror b4 i was done (androids). pardon my errors + repeats. i really just wanted to thank you for sharing what you've learned. you're a really great teacher of your talent.

[@wisemonkeys4511]

Oh what a nice class. Question: I have a real hard time bending the third hole, it sounds like as soon as I try to bend, the sound dies and I just hear the wind going through and the occasional horrible interchange of a half bend/not bend sound. Is there something I can do by opening my harmonica that will allow me to bend easier? I have no problem bending with any other holes. Peace!

[@gracieadamson7885]

Thanks for this video. It really helps fueling my knowledge..Keep us posted! :)

[@zacharysummerfield1612]

Seventy-One, and I can't fucking bend.

[@FunkyHarp]

Ha, Zachary! Doesn't mean you won't be bending soon my friend! Check out those vids I sent you in the other comment.

[@DominiqueP93]

FunkyHarp When I try to bend 6 I get this high pitch sound as if the reed is screeching, any idea why that's happening? I can reach the other bends without that happening. It also happens the easiest on my Bb if that matters.

[@roelhenkgabaut5765]

+Dominique Perreira iyou bend it to far i think. it needs less effort on the 6

[@georgemas]

it's a factory fault I think. You can either live with it or open the harmonica and put a drop of nail polish at the top of the reed. Search it online...

[@XsK5]

Hey! Nice videos, you are the best! I have one question though, is there a difference between a cheap harmonica and an expensive one in terms of bending? I have probably the cheapest you can find and sometimes i hear a very high pitched note, like a dog whislte. Plus, is the bending easier, harder or the same the achieve? Sry for my english, I'm from spain and our level is very low here :D

[@FunkyHarp]

Si, el mas caro funciona mejor. Tengo un video se llama "Brands" y hablo de esto: Hay que comprar un mejor, aun Lee Oskar o Hohner Special 20. Te devirtire mas! Lo siento que mis español es tan malo. Vaya con dios!

[@XsK5]

FunkyHarp Hey man! haha it wasn't necessary to write in spanish :D But thanks anyway! I will continue practicing my bends with this cheap harmonica, but I will start searching for a better one :) Thanks a lot dude! Your chanel is great!

[@DiegoRodriguezdoesntgetoutmuch]

FunkyHarp nice spanish!!!

[@user12345___]

Is it normal that after a few minutes of bending notes, the muscles in my throat get sore (weak and achy just like if i went to the gym and lifted weights too much with them feeling)? Or does this mean I'm doing it wrong/too much or something? Both times I practiced, it happened. It's frustrating to have to stop after 5 minutes now that bending is involved...

[@FunkyHarp]

Yes, this is normal, and the gym analogy is a perfect one. You are training muscles that hadn't been being used formerly. Patience and daily practice is the prescription here….

[@Thebridge841]

I've been trying to bend the 4 draw for almost a month, it took me 5 min to bend the 1 draw haha. Damn physics!

[@FunkyHarp]

Just use a smaller, more forward mouth movement. You'll get it!

[@ToniloxOfficial]

FunkyHarp hey luke, when I try to band the 4 draw I listen to the difference between the normal note and the bend one but somehow the note is not bend at all, It's hard to explain, It seems that I should go down more but somehow I can't do it and so the note isn't a normal one, but it isn't a bend note at all. Can you give me some suggestions?

[@FunkyHarp]

MrTonilox - I suggest you video or audio record yourself so I can hear exactly what you're talking about. Can't quite make sense of it as it s...

[@ToniloxOfficial]

FunkyHarp ok, where could I send you the audio snippet?

[@FunkyHarp]

You can Facebook Message it to me or just email it to [e-mail]. Peace.