Bending Notes. Step by Step Harmonica Lessons - Lesson 5.

[@annakurasik4246]

Thanks mate, I'm 62 and I've watched your video 1st time today, and today I've done my 1st bend on 4 draw . Cheers Jack

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

That’s awesome! Good on you mate! Cheers 🍻

[@raymann330]

I have been playing harp off & on since grade school and I’m 63 now. It wasn’t until I realized that technique plays a bigger part in my harp playing than the harp itself. I stop looking for the harp that was going to make me sound better and focused on the technique I was using to attack the harmonica. Bends, single notes, cords and overblows all went to another level. Pay attention to technique!

[@jaws978]

Can't thank you enough my tongue game has improved so dramatically I've had several people gushing over my technique. I mean I definitely take them over the top on the 1hole and the blow their minds on the 2hole

[@aarphi1984]

Lol well played

[@mrt7333]

Lmao

[@Rookblunder]

Bending prerequisite: Must know Star Wars and Darth Vader... I really appreciate the explanation of what is going on in the mouth and breadth. Just starting and have been able to bend but this will definitely help me perfect it.. Thank you.

[@pedrohuevon8844]

This is the best note bending lesson I came across after viewing close to 10 bending videos. Thx 🙏

[@wmeelod]

🎉 Thank you for the lesson. I play the harmonica by my ear playing along with KZbin videos (cover version of harmonica, violin, saxophone etc.) for 5 years already. Your lesson is easy to understand. Good instructor 🎉😃

[@cincinnatipedalsteel4347]

After a month fighting with this thing my bends FINALLY clicked! I was just not relaxing enough. The. Suddenly a light bulb came on. It almost feels automatic now. I feel my Adams Apple drop real low. Awesome lesson man

[@100sClub]

draw bends: 8:47 - 1 hole 9:17 - 2 hole 9:51 - 3 hole 10:47 - 4 hole 5 hole skip - could damage harp (10:56) 11:23 - 6 hole

[@alanburnaby1171]

Thanks have got a few harmonica’s inspired by your easy to follow lessons. From Fremantle Western Australia.

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Thanks Alan!

[@jeffeeeeeee]

East Hamy Hill lad here....now living in SA,Freo will always be home.👍

[@rtrjmk5]

Really appreciating the lessons. They are so well presented. Without them I would be nowhere. Just an old 60’s rock drummer. Thanks so much.

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Awesome!!!! Rock on!

[@allanpassi7717]

BRO GREAT VIDEOS My little nieces and nephews bought me a hohner Blues harp diatonic C I can't believe how dramatic the sound is, I got it as a present. I can't play The harmonica YET,but I promised them I will practice and play them a song,but give me 12 months. Thank you for the awesome videos and you have encouraged me to learn and play this harmonica and I am actually having fun too.

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Awesome!! I love it. Enjoy!!

[@MrTOMI22]

Isn't it interesting how each of us must develop his "own" technique for bending? I tried several: eeeeyooou, wee-woo, tilting the harp - nothing worked even slightly. Only after I tried Vaders breathing (which I can imitate very well) it finally bend!! I still struggle from the 4th hole up, in finding the sweet spot but at least I finally learned how to do it. Thank you very much! Subscribed

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

That’s why I lay it all out. It’s much easier when you know what the aim is, rather than just making funny faces and sounds as sone describe 😜🤙

[@eduardodosreis5440]

the darth vader thing helped me so much LOL. shoutout from Brazil!

[@anugrahekka13]

YOURREEE GREEAATTT MAAN! THE MOMENT YOU SAID TAKING CONTROL OVER THAT READ, AND I GOT MY FIRST BEND! THANKYOU SOOO MUCH MAN LOVE YOU! ❤

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Awesome!!!

[@allenhawker3911]

Great analogy about a manual car on a hill and the gas and clutch working together to find the sweet spot!

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Thanks Mate! Glad it helped. I'm the only one I know who drives a manual these days lol

[@allenhawker3911]

@@MitchGraingerMusic Haha! I’m with ya Mitch. I’ve had many over the years but most these days probably wouldn’t have a clue. Thanks again for the video. Your really good at explaining things. I’m a beginner player and still struggling to get bends down. It’s trickier to do then I thought. I found your channel today by chance so that was good. I’m assuming you offer lessons? If so I need to jump on board so I can have some sort of structured plan. I’ll subscribe so I can follow all your stuff. Thanks again!

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

@@allenhawker3911 Thanks so much mate! I love my manual car, It's a 99 Honda Prelude :) I've got a full course of 30 step-by-step harmonica lessons, play-a-longs and a whole bunch of other harmonica lessons at my site harmonicatime.com. You can check it out free here: harmonicatime.com/#join-free

[@allenhawker3911]

@@MitchGraingerMusic will do bud! Thanks!

[@jeffmartin52]

On the six hole bend C harp, I can tell when it hits the target note because my whole cranium is resonating! Feels weird!

[@daphnekosi4179]

Clear explanation

[@lobogris7090]

You are the best... Thanks...

[@johnx9318]

Thank you! Gone from frustrated and failing to 'got it'! Bit rough, but on my way!!

[@falkensstein6707]

holy shit buddy, i love you so much! You actually were the one that could explain it that i understood it!! I tried so many guides but youre one was it! I love you, dude!!! Great work!

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Thanks so much! I'm so glad to hear this lesson is making break throughs for you!! Awesome!

[@muddyg1553]

BEST lesson on harmonica draw bending

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Thanks Muddy!

[@darrenhirst9900]

Mitch is that the taking the trash out blues? Thanks for the lessons buddy.

[@aarphi1984]

Not sure if it's anatomy or just my harp (Special 20 I know has slightly different bending characteristics), but I found the 1 draw super easy and natural to bend way before the other holes. Btw your videos are amazing and very helpful!

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

That’s awesome Aaron. You’re on the right track. It’s normally the one hole or the four hole people get first! Use it as a reference for how bending ‘feels’ while you practice the other holes!

[@aarphi1984]

Hey thanks for replying so quickly! Any plans for a Lesson #6?

[@NormanconEVE]

I found the one hole easiest and seemingly due to the resistance it provided on the draw when I would attempt a bend. I am struggling to get my mouth to conform to the correct shape but the resistance seems to do it. Now to figure out the others...

[@JuanGonzalez-ty2yc]

Just got started Your tips are Great stuff thanks Mate

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Thanks Juan!

[@JishnuSikder]

Eagerly waiting for the next lesson❤

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Check out my website, all 30 step lessons are in there 🤙

[@winstonpaul3398]

I have a ... E harmonica What is the best pitch. For playing. The blues ?

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

E is great. I suggest having a C harmonica too, then get an A harmonica. 😊

[@winstonpaul3398]

Mitch Grainger Ok. Thanx ❤️🇨🇦

[@tarunghosh6523]

The word balance is very important in painting and also in harmonica..play. Sir , i am following.....thank you so much

[@aaraddhya]

I'm just glad that as I am starting with my harmonica this video series is progressing! Hoping that once I reach this level there's more for me to go ahead! :) Loved this series!

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

All 30 steps are available right now in my members site! Https://www.mitchgrainger.com/join-free

[@miarosie]

There is now, paying for them on his site. Or you could check out Tomlin harmonica on here who gives tons of free lessons (and also does teaching courses. Christelle Berthon is a fab teacher too. Superb player - check her out.)

[@DarienSibbit-v5x]

Do you know what is a pre draw so I can play one of my favorite songs

[@georgegates526]

Thanks for the lessons!!

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

No worries!

[@davidsantana8623]

Excellent

[@Frani298]

I can only be accurate in my notes and bends by closing the other holes with my tongue. Please tell me if I should unlearn this and go for the actual way or just keep up licking the hell out of my harmonicas

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Tongue blocking like this is ok, and used by some great players. It will take you a little longer to master bending though without the use of a ‘free’ tongue!

[@lukeanselmo]

no way keanu reaves just taught me to play the harmonica

[@danwilliams8695]

😅

[@anandacharya1605]

I want to learn to play harmonica by listning to music... didn't u have another channel where there were more than 50 videos where u were teaching that every week?? I couldn't find it anymore.. can u reupload those videos plz

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Yes! It’s called harmonica time and I am creating a lot of videos for the re launch of that channel along with a new website. Coming soon! Thanks for asking! 🤙✊🏾🎼🌻

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Hey Guys, grab a C diatonic harmonica and then try my complete beginners course free at harmonicatime.com/#join-free

[@kfitz9]

Thank you so much man! Your lessons are excellent. I see you get a lot of messages like this but seriously! Thank you so much, I've had a c and d harmonica for years but these lessons are really making me understand it a lot better. I'm still shit but I know what I'm trying to do

[@park-won]

hello. I'm asking about the harmonica used in the video because I'm a beginner. What is the note key of which tuning?

[@danv1061]

Can you do bends with tongue blocking?

[@kilgoretrout6136]

Yes

[@SlayerHunt109]

Is this achievable when blowing very softly

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Yes, softy is better actually!

[@SlayerHunt109]

@@MitchGraingerMusic holy shit thank you for replying! I appreciate it

[@tomazvital1986]

Waiting for the next lesson!!!! 🙌🙌🙌🙌

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Checkout MitchGrainger.com/join-free for all 30 steps!! :)

[@pipopopi9607]

I only manage to do it on the 1rst hole ...

[@unrulyarcana2394]

Same

[@jeffreyreicher5241]

I learned tongue blocking 3 of 4 holes. But not the lip pucker technique. Can I still bend using the tongue blocking technique ? Or do I need to learn to lip pucker the harmonica?

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

This is a great question. The short answer is yes you can bend using tongue blocking. All the same principles apply. However, I believe it’s more difficult as a beginner to learn bending using tongue blocking, which is why I don’t teach tongue blocking until step #14 after my students have learned the single hole technique and bending. So... If you’re really comfortable with tongue blocking then try to get bending, by using more of your throat & palate to create the resonance you need!

[@prabirdas6301]

Sir I am using Rocket amp Key of C Is it right for bending Thank u ♥️🙏💐

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Perfect

[@Cassidy_Draws210]

stay safe

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

🙏🎼🤙

[@TheBrokenHead]

Grande 👀👀👍👍👏👏

[@Maniak5100]

A friend of mine let me borrow some really old harmonicas. I've never played and they look a bit bigger than what you have, but sounds amazing. Should I get a little one to first learn how to play or do all harmonicas play the same? The one I have is Echo Bell Metal Reeds by Hohner. I also have The Super Chromonica. Should I get a simpler one first?

[@noragardner4072]

I know people recommend starting off on an ten whole diatomic C harmonica or something like that. It isn't necessary and you said your harmonicas sound nice so I wouldn't worry. Maybe when you get one of your own you can try it out

[@ruanbritz6844]

I don't know if anyone will see this comment, but I found a comment on a forum that just let EVERYTING just click, especially with the tongue position: Take a straw or imagine a straw in your mouth > imagine sucking air through it, but be thorough with your imagination as your brain needs to take this position > now imagine sucking as if it's icecream/milkshake in it. This change in your tongue is exactly how you'll be altering the air stream. I wasn't able to conceptualize it before FIRST doing the sucking air through the "straw" and THEN moving to the sucking position for a milkshake. After this, I had a perfect bend in about an hour.

[@justfun6704]

Lesson 6 is gonna be uploaded after 8 years.

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

All steps up to #30 are online now!! at MitchGrainger.com/join-free/

[@paulmccauley8866]

Tried to join,after filling out info,I hit enter.I refilled out info,and it said "e-mail already in use.I guess the enter didn't work,but I do want to join.

[@vanitasingh1510]

@@paulmccauley8866 me too

[@HarakaPakataka]

When I try to bend hole 6 there's this high pitch sound that comes out along with the lower note. Is it safe to continue with that?

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

That’s normal. It usually means you are playing to loud, or hard.

[@jleight9544]

Do you do one on one lessons?

[@hiteshraval8082]

Which harmonica you used in #2 tutorial please tell??

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

A Hohner special 20

[@HoustonTech]

Yeah but how do you keep the top plate from ripping your moustache out ?

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Trim close and up! French style 🤵🏻

[@MrSocko-bh1jb]

Damage the Harmonica, just from bending on the 5th? For real now? Or did he mean only when you have a cheapo harp or a very old one or whatever? Surely my shiny new Hohner Crossover would not bet an eye, would it tho? I am not going to try that now, but a clarification would be really appreciated!

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Bending to strong is what will damage the harmonica, in time. Play softly to mid volume and a good harp like yours will last many many years.

[@mildredallen1053]

What is the blues scale?

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

See step 9 in my course. www.harmonicatime.com/join-free

[@saraboavida7600]

i'm kind of struggling to bend in my harmonica, i can bend in the first hole just fine, but the 4th hole i can't and i'm doing the exact same technique, is it possible that is due to the harmonica itself? cheers

[@danwilliams8695]

Find so much of my control on bends come near the diaphragm

[@mojotmn]

Hey. Thanks for the video. I have a question can the problem be with my harmonica. I can't bend at all I tried everything. It works only when I change its angle to about 45° to my lips. Thanks in advance

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

What harp have you got? A good quality harp helps a lot as you are dealing with air pressure and air leakage that occur with cheap harps can make things hard!

[@mojotmn]

@@MitchGraingerMusic Thank you very much for such a fast reply. I've got "hohner pro harp C". And actually I can bend a bit only the first hole using only mouth/tongue technique. I've also ordered "hohner cordial 20 c-major", waiting for it to be delivered. I know that it's harder to bend F and G, but I have C so... 🙂

[@aconsciousnaut5323]

Which harmonica are you using?

[@kilgoretrout6136]

Honer special 20

[@musicoftheuniverse8006]

Hi. does bending work only for inhale?

[@kilgoretrout6136]

No

[@crow6497]

Does this also work on a tremelo harmonica because I can't seem to get the hang of it.

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

No it’s only for the diatonic harmonica!

[@crow6497]

Ok thanks

[@jasonemanuel9070]

But can you bend notes on a tremolo 😀

[@madboxrox]

What if you got 42 hole harmonica

[@frankiejrey]

Inhale using your throat. Genius! Thank you!!!

[@fouziasharmin6218]

Sir when I bend I hear my breathing sound. How can I rid of it? Another question. Did u breath out in bending?

[@leom8573]

No

[@azmike3572]

THIS IS HARD! I bought a harmonica today and of course thought I'd master it in under 15 minutes. Bending requires so much more effort, concerning air, the shape of the mouth, movement of the tongue, etc. Not as quick and easy as bending a guitar string, which is more mechanical, but works every time. I lack patience and am a "get it done yesterday" type of person.

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

You can do it! A little everyday is all it takes. See my other channel Harmonica Time to feel my practice diary. I might inspire you!

[@stevengibbons3845]

So last night while practicing my technique finally clicked. I had drastically under estimated how much lip I had to get on my harmonica. Also have to angle the harmonica up a bit. Now all of a sudden I've got really clean notes. But an issue I'm still having is that after playing for a bit, the harmonica warms up and some of the notes just don't play anymore. Especially holes 2 and 8. Is this an issue of technique or a cheap harmonica?

[@bigjuicyjohn1649]

Might be a blown reed

[@bimarasi]

Is your harmonica really a C? Because mine is, and ı don't hear such beautiful harmony when I improvise as you do =)

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Yes it is!

[@bimarasi]

@@MitchGraingerMusic well what can ı do to play beautifuly when ı improse? should ı just keep playing it with my insticts?

[@ellemourto1527]

@@bimarasi my tip to you is to play to a blues backing track (g blues if you have a c harmonica) and juts play and remember the things that sound good. Also, listen to a lot of solos from other harmonica players :)

[@StephenMooreOfficial]

I can do this on the 1 hole instantly. Can't get it anywhere else tho haha.

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

That's great. Take the feeling of the bend, and try to replicate it on the other holes. You've got a reference point!

[@StephenMooreOfficial]

@@MitchGraingerMusic 4 and 6 I can get pretty consistently. The sweet spot gets smaller and smaller the higher up the harmonica you go. I was getting frustrated until I realized the margin for error is tiny. You can miss the right spot completely

[@fionadonovan8399]

Im really struggling to bend on my harmonica. It’s a really old Hohner pocket pal, so I’m wondering if my issues are due to the harmonica itself or if it’s common to struggle this much at first.

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

It could be the harmonica. It depends on the quality, as the more airtight the harmonica the easier it is to control the reeds!

[@fionadonovan8399]

Mitch Grainger thank you!

[@aerospice40]

Saying "Eeyore" works too

[@Chromatic_Harmonica]

👍

[@balajianbalagan7467]

can u play prituri se planitata song using thissss

[@spalde3022]

I can easily bend 1st hole, second hole but not so clearly but 3rd and 4th are impossible, i've tried many ways but the note stays the same. I've struggled months, i'm bout to give up

[@dennisosmundsen7077]

Did you give up

[@spalde3022]

@@dennisosmundsen7077 Umm... kinda. I'm looking for someone who can teach me face to face.

[@clivewiddall3430]

Never been able to whistle so I’m fooked

[@สินธุวัตรชมภูแสง]

คิดถึงนุ้ย..นก็คิดถึงพี่มากกว่า

[@sofiabergstrom41]

can you bend notes on a chromonica?

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Yes but not anything like on a diatonic harmonica, it’s much more subtle.

[@Mr.XYZ6775]

One time I was bending the note so bluesie that I got a high pitch squeal out of the note, the reed broke and ended on my tongue. Thank God I didn't swallow it. So I decided not to bend the note so harsh.

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Woah, yeah a squeal is a warning that your going to hard but I’ve never heard of a reed breaking off like that! Cheap harmonica?

[@JaximusPrime88]

I just keep getting the same tone no bend

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Login to HarmonicaTime.com (it’s free) and check out my webinar on bending found in the blog. It’ll help!

[@clivewiddall3430]

Fwequency 😳

[@Shalini_Jay_Music]

Just remembered I can't whistle- I hope this won't get in the way of learning how to bend! I can bend the first hole, but no luck on the fourth yet. Will try again tomorrow. Thanks so much Mitch =)

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

That’s the first step! And the ticket. Try again tomorrow! You’ll get it 😎

[@DavidDanz]

So hard....so frustrating....

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Have you checked out the forums at HarmonicaTime.com? There’s lots of good advice there, from many people who’ve been through the same frustration and then got it!

[@DavidDanz]

@@MitchGraingerMusic Thank you! Checking it out now.

[@Ej-gt6is]

I can’t whistle so it didn’t help lol

[@samyakgulale646]

Waiting for 6th lesson

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

The 6th lesson is only for members of my website. Join free here! mitchgrainger.com/join-free/

[@samyakgulale646]

@@MitchGraingerMusic ya sure....thanx for replying😉😉

[@tryout8469]

Who the f**k is Darth Vader?? A Chicago style bluesharp player? Did i miss someone, anyone, something? Does Darth knows how to bend that damned hole 3 all 3 steps properly and strong? Come on Darth, give us some of your secret skills and put them on YT. Hole 3.... it's the wormhole on the Diatonic which makes you wanna quit.

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Harmonica wars 🤙😉

[@ellemourto1527]

It's a power that you can't learn from the Jedi

[@referee2468]

Very useful thank you, I think your video would come over more professional if you did not keep repeating the word ‘OKAY’ all the time.

[@MitchGraingerMusic]

Thanks. Ok 😉

[@miarosie]

@referee2468 haha seriously? Geeze man

[@b4d.br4in25]

Bending notes is fake

[@kilgoretrout6136]

Huh??

[@b4d.br4in25]

@@kilgoretrout6136 i simply complain. i can't get the 3 draw to change pitch at all and it just feels impossible to a beginner.

[@kilgoretrout6136]

@b4d.br4in25 you may need to inhale while gagging with the harp in your mouth.

[@b4d.br4in25]

@@kilgoretrout6136 I'm not sure what you mean...gagging on my harp sounds like an insult.