How To Do Over-Blows (Over-bends) on Harmonica.026

[greenowl2]

why sliding to overbend or draw?

[eldorado303]

you got nice skills. thanks. just got my f low marine band. starting to learn. cheerio from portugal.

[davidaems]

Jason your are the best....inspiring me to learn the harmonica. The only problem is that I dont know how to find the righ sequence of video on your site. I think it would be better if you put the number of the lesson before the name . For example  026 How To Do Over-Blows (Over-bends) on Harmonica.

What do you think ?

PS. Let your eyebrows grows again ;) :)

bye thank you for your amazing lessons....

[travisrules14]

Hey man, I love your instructional videos, they have helped me so much along my harmonica "journey," lol. I have a quick question though; if I get two notes at once out of my one hole (both reeds in the same chamber), does that mean that my technique is off, or my harmonica needs to be set up?

[TomTheHarmonicaKid]

You taught me how to do it.. !!! :D :D I can hear the change like 1 out of 10 times.. so it needs lot of practise but its always been such a great mistery for me and now Ive made the sound myself! :)))

Thx a lot, gr8 vids man!

Tom from Prague

[runningturtle871]

Thanks for taking the time to actually explain things.  This was very helpful.

[katsuyukisakata]

GREAT !

[StellarChi]

Good job .... Nice recovery after scolding us about asking what key you're in ? I see you were correct some still ask. Very brilliant break down of the subject. Thx.... The scales riffs were super cool.

[psychobillybert]

Thank you for answering my questions!

[BrothersFreedive]

You are a great player. I really admire those that make so damn much come out of such a small instrument.

[CanadianFolkBlues]

you shave your eye brows? that aint right.

[thedebtsettler]

Am I missing something?

Should lesson 1. be..."Where to place your bottom lip" etc?

I am an expereienced musician (guitarist) but a total harp newbie and I'm struggling with just getting my mouth in the right place.

[mclovin1617]

Does overblowing damage the harmonica? Or is it just as natural for the reeds as any other bend?

[flmason]

So how exactly do you do a bend?

[JavarHusein]

Hey jason, I have Golden melody do you think it's important to costumize it ?

[phl1ag1983]

Keep up the good work, Jason. I've only just found your music and it's inspired me to rediscover the harmonica - before now I've only got as far as playing Heart of Gold and Old Grey Whistle Test!

[surrealIdeal]

i can't see this video... I normally don't have this with videos at all.... :(

[xraylax]

check out TINUS KOORN.

a dutch guy only C diatonic

in all 12 keys

jason come to holland.

[kikoliko]

S**t! What is the problem with Hohner Pro Harp and over-blows? I am starting to believe it is impossible to make overblow on this harp...

[agrijag]

i thought only 7-10 can overblow?

[afrisbeetom]

@agrijag 1:13

[redgecko13]

Excellent instruction, good explanations

[way2chunky]

what harmonica key are you playing??

[APaclin]

eyebrows are fascinating=)

[thepettyharp]

your right man overblows are easier than getting your 2 and 3 bends in all the steps

[verycooltone]

okay okay I surrender. After managing to avoid them for 40-something years, I WILL learn to play overblows! So far I've gotten a couple little metallic clicks and just a hint of a high-pitched squeak. That's progress, right???

[adipalmer123]

brilliant mate. been tryin for ages , and after this video got it first time

cheers

[sergiobdbd]

Eyebrow bending in 7:49...

good video man

[timmy47]

you said you cant bend draw notes from holes 7 to 10. but yesterday i realized that you can. you can get 7 down a bit. not a full half tone but enough to get a "blue thrid" and 8 i think can go down a half tone.

[kkkkeyur]

Sir,

I am very novice on bending but with your video I could get overblow on hole 4,5,6 of HarpMaster. I've seen some video's but none of them is any closer to yours. You're an awesome teacher too. I bow to you Sir !

Long live Jason !

Keyur

[maartjechiel]

so you bend on an overtone?

[shannonUtoob]

4.44 is the meat and potatoes. Love him too.

[Nicosheldonflorendo2]

Just explain it stop the blah blah blah.! I love you though <3

[jasonricci]

It's important Blah Blah Blahs! Other wise I get two hundred emails from people asking/telling me their overblowing holes that DON'T or need not be over blown...see what I mean?

[DENIEL1908]

I mean it can be helpful: try to blow to your nose when you will overblow!!! Sorry J when you told that in the video but I dont understand all in it because im from Hungary!

[DENIEL1908]

Million Thanks Master!!! :)

[hillspring13]

Many thanks from the UK for another great vid J: you are a fantastic teacher because you lead by example and your music theory drags the uninitiated (like me) into new dimensions.

Overblow on 4 and 5 still beyond me (on Bb harp) but the 6 is starting to go ... with a horrible metallic background resonance. Is this because of the reeds not choking the hole properly, and can it be manually tweaked?

[jasonricci]

It actually could be your harp! What kind of harmonica is it? Hohners seem to work best I can share also some tips with you to help eliminate that if it is indeed NOT your technique. If so try blowing softer...I think it could be your harp.

[hillspring13]

Great guy! Huge tour schedule and yet a reply within one day :-) It is indeed a Hohner (can't remember the model 'cos I'm at work). Tried blowing softer but no luck; to be truthful, overblows have outfoxed me for a decade and I didn't believe in them 'til I saw your vids! ***Love*** your minor scales vids ... the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for us lot. So any overblow tips welcome.

[jasonricci]

Hey thanks for actully checking the tour schedule and understanding most people assume this is all I do. Any way thanks a million for real and check out that harp brand and get back to me you'll get it.

J

[hillspring13]

OK: it's a Hohner Bb Big River and the metallic ringing is currently on the 6 overblow, with the 4OB and 5OB sounding like a constipated duck [quite different from the UFO sound of a minor-scale flutter :-) ] Your tip about first hearing the note you're trying to get to is great. If only I could break this (ageing) OB barrier, especially since my draw bends are OK and under full control. BTW RU with your band on the UK tour?

[jasonricci]

The Big River is part of the MS (Modular) series of Hohner replacement reeds. The reeds of that series are shorter and wider which make overblows impossible to sustain and often just to hit. I will be playing as Walter Trouts sideman in the UK with his band of course. See you there. Please say hello.

J

[hillspring13]

Thanks J for quick reply! So, it's the "stiff" MS system, which I never liked. I recall pre-2000 exchange with Hohner UK pointing out quick failures on 4D and 5D MS reeds, and I was told that the letters ZA5 after the model name on the back of the box indicated a better reed quality. This seems to be true! But my local store hasn't stocked hand-riveted harps for years, so I'll try OBing on my new C & G Lee Oskars and ancient C Golden Melody. And I *will* say Hi in the UK if I can get to a gig.

[Rosseh1]

You're kidding? I just bought a Hohner Blues Harp MS as my first harp. Why would they call it a blues harp if you can't play fundamentals of blues? I'm really disappointed. The product description even states overblowing is possible.

[DENIEL1908]

Hy! Can Somebody help me? I am absolute beginner and i want to ask that:

Can i overblow with my very cheap Hering C Handy Haarp harmonica overblow?

When I try it i hear just sharp noisy! Please Answer me!!

[jasonricci]

Try a hohner or a suzuki. A hering will over blow but will likeley not sustain that notwe all though there are things you can do to them to fix that.

J

[Wally773MTG]

Also, I'm really looking foreword to seeing you play in Davenport on the 4th...can't wait! Ive been waiting for so long for you and the band to play somewhere within a reasonable distance of where ever I happen to be

[Wally773MTG]

YES! Thank you Jason so much, I watched this video three times and then went and tried overblowing. Took me an hour or so of trying but now I can actually sustain some semblance of a pitch on the 5 and 6 hole, still working on the 4 and 1 though. Granted its shakey but its a work in progress.

Quick question: Do you know why my seven hole bends down a half step (or so) when I try over blowing it? Oh, also, do you think its easier to overblow on higher keys or lower keys?

[jasonricci]

Hey Wally great seeing you. The higher keys are harder on the 6 blow 7 overdraw and 8 over draw but the lower keys are harder on the 4 and 5 over blow..

[simplekaty]

Hey Jason! Thanks for this video, it has helped me a lot. You're a star!

[rollychair]

Hi all harmonica players who see this out there, I'm 18, and just started picking up diatonic after learning 3 years of chromatic playing. I can bend notes fine, got the half step in 2 draw, the 3 bends sounds like shit though.

However, I've been trying this instructional video for quite a while like 2 weeks? and I cant overblow for nuts. I'm using a suzuki harpmaster in C, can anyone enlighten me with a few tips?

[markj228]

this a good video on overblows...and it is easier said than done. Just as Jason said it's like bending notes-with the mechanics you would use to bend a note- but blow. the reeds to be close to the plate. Nearly so close that any tighter the note won't play-

I appreciate all of the info these guys (Jason, Adam,Ronnie, etc.) have posted here! It really is invaluable....Thanks!!

[jasonricci]

great tip thanks for the constructive contribution.

J

[mojogypsy]

Great video. Thanks for sharing!

[willknot87]

thats nice that you can demonstrate how to do that without actually showing HOW

you just demoed what they sound like not how your mouth or tongue is moving

[jasonricci]

It's the same mouth/tongue position as a draw bend except blowing/exhaling. Additionally an over DRAW is the opposite (Same position as a blow bend). Sorry if that is vague but thats what I was told(and how I learned) and it is very hard to describe. Howard Levy used a sonograph machine! Hope that helps. The sarcasm was not needed, I'm here to help.

[zippaio]

I'm a really beginner and I'm learning from you from Italy, nevermind sarcasm, you're doing something great! thank Jason

[ultrakool]

the blowzone layer? i thought that was your bedroom. lol. don't get uptight, just a lil alternate lifestyle humor. thx for sharing your virtuosity

[jasonricci]

Ha! That ruled I never get uptight about that joke!

[ArtofDreaming1]

Jason I rather you show me how to set up a harp then any one else, even a lame attempt on your part would be better then any one else. please just some example of you tuning a harp Don't even explain it just let us see you doing what you do.

[gosia127]

Jason is just able to play ANY note he needs....I'd like to believe I can copy what he does...but...I can't.

[MMMisterDNA]

What key harmonica was this ?

Just kidding, very informative, i checked out tenhole, thanks.

[assassufit]

Hi !

I tried hard to get overblows. I finally got something in this 6th hole, but it seems to be a note between D and C... i don't exactly see why, do you know if this is normal and how to change that?

Thanks

[BbMarineBand]

J!

Thank you for this video. I finally managed to play my first ever overblows.

[yinstylebagua2007]

Informative. Thank-you kindly.

[ElmoElmondo]

Thank you very much for your help =]

You move your eyebrows with the music.. Just like me lol

[FenderBassman155]

Great vids, Jason. Just like to thank you for taking the time to meet up with us at Uncle Bo's awhile back.  I was the bass player. Trust me, you're time and advice did not go to waste!

[IIzaell]

cararái...qiria sabe sabe fala ingreis

[RUIuiuiuiui]

se quiseres eu ajudo-te a traduzir o que ele diz

[rentonk2]

thanks for the lesson

awesome!!

[yaguarete167]

really good lesson!

greatings from argentina

[catschna]

Thank you!!!!!!!

[jasonricci]

thank you my friend

[honerkid20]

jason I'm just starting to learn overblows would you suggest to customize my own harmonica or buy a custom harp?

[moffatsa11]

what key harmonica are you playing? haha just kidding=)

[CaguamaTom]

should have watched the second part first jajaj forget my question, thanks again!

[CaguamaTom]

Hey jason, i got a harp layout here, that says that holes 7 9 and 10 can over bend, and over blow, so what i understand here is that they are the same but here they appear as different notes, anyway the harp layout is in the wikipedia article for harmonica diatonic or something, anyway thanks man!

[Geetar2112]

Thanks for all yer videos! I especially like the Mr Hat "mmmkay" at 1:42:)

[veggieburgerfish]

I've been trying for the last few hours, but I still can't get it. Is it impossible to get an overblow on an out of the box marine band, or just not as easy? Because I really don't trust myself fiddling with my new harmonica, which I love.

[jasonricci]

Not impossible! I learned them on out of the box M.B.'s. and recorded them that way for years.....It can and usually is harder than a custom or modified harp Maybe Don't mess with the new harp for now until you learn how to adjust action on some older or less loved harps....Poor harps...Less loved.

J

[veggieburgerfish]

Right thanks, I guess I'll just work on perfecting my bending for now and come back to overblows later

[EnterSkywalker]

jason my man , what on earth are you doing using that rubbish camera on your latest videos

[jasonricci]

My house is just dark...My older vids had better lighting same cam...I'll work on that!

[veggieburgerfish]

whenver I try and overblow on my harp it just makes a horrible noise and all the reeds sound simultaneoussly. It's horrible. Then again it only cost me £5 (4$?) so nevermind. I'm getting a marine band soon.

[veggieburgerfish]

right I've got my marine band and still no joy, but It's not doing what the other one was doing so that's good. I'll keep at it...

[Ledvolta]

I respect that you don't wish to give everything away.

[jasonricci]

Hey, Tell what you want to know I'll give it away...I just don't feel tab is an answer.

[Ledvolta]

I know. You're a great lip-purser, with cool style.

[Philosofy1]

I have a question on your statement that holes 1-6 only bend on the draw, while 7-10 only on the blow. Is that true for all keys? For instance, an F harp is higher than a C, so can you blow bend on holes 5 or 6? Everything I've read seems to indicate that its the hole number that counts, not the actual note, but that doesn't seem to make much sense to me.

[jasonricci]

&-10 can ONLY BLOW bend, 1-6 Can ONLY DRAW bend you can over blow holes 1-6 can OVERblow and 7-10 can OVERdraw but over draws and overblows are VERY different from bending...harp keys have nothing to do with bending or not bending...Hope that helps.

J

[5isgrace]

Wow - you're a true master, Ricci. Thanks for the awesome vids. Can't wait to learn more about your sound and how to start tuning my old Hohners.

[veggieburgerfish]

harmonicas are god's gift to mankind.

just wanted to throw that in there

[Ledvolta]

amen.

[Menghevoli]

what the problem with your eyebrows ?

[BlindBob1]

The eyebrows are an integral part of blow bending?? Heck, I ought to be able to do it as well as you Jason. Great vid. Thanks.

[Mueleski]

Thanks Jason, great lesson/tutorial!

[BurlesqueVideo]

Is that a C harmonica?

[SoloBen247]

are you dumb? he says it in the first 10 seconds...

[sjmagri]

Not dumb. Are you? I was joking. Should have been obvious.

[Ledvolta]

yes.

[Mederic005]

@BurlesqueVideo He said that in the first sentence of the intro :P

[sanduuuu]

wow, you're right about the bends

I was getting all frustrated with this new blues

harp, since in a tremolo I could bend every note

fantastic video eh

[shas1814]

Yeah, was enjoying the eyebrows too,

Jason, your vids are so generous.

Very cool.

Hey, you're coming to Vancouver!

If I can make it happen I'll be there!

[ZackPomerleau]

Jason, how long did it take you to get overblowing? I cannot figure out, and am not sure if it is my bending technique, or just whatever. I kind of pronounce "o" to bend, and my tongue goes down.

[broonzy2006]

hello from england - sounding great. Never heard your stuff before but now I'm on it - Do you ever gig in the UK?

[grampastumpy]

Thanks for the video. I've recently picked up the harp to have something more portable to play coming from piano, uke, bass, guitar, and sax, i.e., well, chromatic instruments. I haven't been playing for long, but I just knew it would kill me not to have all twelve tones. As of now I have a nice full chromatic scale in the middle octave. Really helpful video; gonna try to tackle overdraws now.

[harpcyclone]

Thanx Jason, Between you and Adam! Damn I am improving.

[djscurge]

ditto, if it werent for you, adam, and ronnie shellist, i'd still be playin old suzanna..lol now i could almost pass for a amature blues harpist.

[peacefreak789]

Thanks for the preachin an teachin. QUICK QUESTION: I have an antique piano that is tune 1/4 tone flat. Can I modify a harp to match this 1/4 tone flatness, or play bends to match the 1/4 tone (I'm not that good), or am I completely screwed?

[jasonricci]

Thats a great question and a funny one too! I'm not laughing at you I'm relating to your madness....Yes you could tune a harmonica 1/4 step flat, tou could match only your bends and OB's to the piano...But everything else would be off...You should do it...just look up how to tune harmonicas and get ready to start filing!

[goldbugggg]

Thank you for (however subtly) introducing me to Octavio Castro, he is amazing...

[jasonricci]

He rules right!!!?

[Harpmaster9000]

dude who are you!!!!! You look crazy!!!! Im sorry but I loved the old you. Pink hair and all. When you can play the harmonica that good, you can look however you want!!!!!!!

[jasonricci]

I change always...Thanks for the kudos

[kevin2222222222]

nice video

its cool how when u were doing "chromatic action"

your eyebrows were moving with evry note.

[clrn2mt]

What key harp are you playing? HA HA HA

[elkriverharmonicas]

I've been playing for 27 years and I learned how to overblow from this video a few weeks ago. Thanks a hell of a lot!

[jasonricci]

Thats cause you rock dave!

[cohrocks75]

I dont understand how you can bend when you are blowing a note, I mean your not pulling the reeds if your blowing, im confused

[jasonricci]

keep at it...try blow bending the 8-10 hole first befor trying to bend an overblow thats a wicked differant thing! You'llget it...check out Jimmy Reed!

J

[neesnio]

U SIGNED MY CORD HARPS @ HWY99

i WAS THINKING ABOUT DOING A VIDEO

BUT IM MAKEING MOVIES

ON LOCATION

TAKE ME BACK

I WANT 2 RIDE IN GERONIMOS CADILLAC

X ON TOOK THERE LAND

AND THEY WONT GIVE IT BACK

BUT THEY GAVE GERONIMO A CADILLAC

[Harplicks]

So Jason, um... what key harp are you playing. :-)

Love ya!

Mojo Red

[neesnio]

Crazy8

[elkriverharmonicas]

Jason,

That's gotta be the best, clearest overblow explanation I've heard. Looking forward to hearing in person Friday.

Dave Payne

[neesnio]

merano turbo lid 5 bucks

is working out of box on a few reeds

@4:44

[CS5390]

Jason,

At 1:30 you say that the overblow is a minor 3rd above the blow note on any hole you're overblowing, but isn't the 5ob just a whole step, not 1 1/2 steps higher than the 5 blow? Also, the 3ob is the perfect 4 of the 3blow. I'm not sure what the 2ob is. I think only the 1, 4, and 6 overblows are a minor 3rd above the blow note.

Anyway you're a bad ass harp player!

[jasonricci]

You are right... Of course about the 5...about the others I wouldn't myself include them as those notes are available as bends...I haven't YET found an enharmonic advantage for using those...But yes the 5 is a whole step I will pay closer attention to my "shorthand"...Thanks so much for clearing this up.

J

[jaysblues]

Simple riff that sounds very cool. Nicely done. Thanks.

[Zigblues]

Jason,

Thanks for "givin' it all away" as Adam would say.  Maybe now I can get this overblow thing!

Chantix on bro!

Zig

[realphatnugly]

Is there anyway possible that you could make playing the harmonica look any easier? Just in case we don't struggle enough... Wow! it blows my mind how well you play! Is it because of the muscle control in your eyebrows? I have practiced at least 2 hours a day for 18 consecutive months, and I play alright, but Holy Shit! You're an animal! Thanks for spending the time on us 'tubers, man!

[harpinholley]

great vid jason how about a harp camp in the southeast. thanks,harpinholley

[neesnio]

ok gang I have some 10mx I paid 29 cents per

took my screw driver and stroked um softly opened, a way 2 sexy 4 my Harp

it worked 1-6 then get yur tuner out and check yur notes as they blow bend

im a sucker for chroms

neofiteus

[neesnio]

ok I watched it again, that chrom stuff grabs me, I will grab my tweeker and focus on this as a neofite and aire back jack

so we can share here, mess up a box of cheepOs no problem practice baby

o yea some Groucho Brows Would Be Good!

Perhaps we can do a gathering on a Temple

on an Eclipse, in South America

we can practice our parts Break it Down

from U Tube

And Recital Stone Henge Esther Id or Vegas

Lets put this sucker into Over Drive

[neesnio]

I am just starting to get the hang of file tuneing my harps, they tend not 2 stay in tune

so long once filed?

The cost yikes I have those 10mx key c key os

for my parctice reed spaceing

and I use turbo lids and 5 buckaroos for practice

are these overblow harps in need of constant adjustment or do they just break?

[2HoleDraw]

I'm starting to get the over-blows Jason, but I've got a lot of work to do yet to perfect the eyebrow thing.

[jasonricci]

Dennis Gruenling should make an eyebrow video...

[DistantSoul13]

yo bro ur awesome i now can completely overblow thanx 4 makin that easy pz

[vengermader]

Great to see your back. many thanks

[SiggyMe]

Very nice lesson, really gave me some more perspective on one of my goals, playing diatonic harp Chromatically. Happy New Year's Thanks doc dc

[krizem]

Cheers just what i was after thanks heeps

[bobblunn]

Jason,

Great lesson! Many thanks for sharing and...

Jam On!

-BB

[jasonricci]

Man sorry I was so sick in boise...wish we could of hung out more!!!

[bobblunn]

Dude!!!

I was just glad you made it and were able to play! It was a great show even though you were sick. Nice to see it sold out too! I told everyone I knew it was a "must see" show. Wrote the paper, etc...

A few good friends made it and were awe-inspired.

"Now That's Cool!"

-BB

[pazzmanmusic]

HHAHAHAA... nice eyebrow bends... thanks for the how to's

[wallywalt]

grrrrr... Another harp into the trash....

[gmmsi]

Wow-you're TOO good

[bwehrens]

what key harmonica are you using?

lol just kidding, great video, very helpful