Blues Harmonica Lesson - Tongue Block Bends

[ddtee1]

I think that your explanations are excellent but when you talk I yearn for a demonstration that gives audible dimension to your lecture. Therefore, yes more videos with just playing as a supplement to the more verbal lessons.

thanks

[leesankeygroup]

@ddtee1 I'll bare that in mind.

[ddtee1]

I wish you would play more than talk, although you are very articulate !

[leesankeygroup]

@ddtee1 O.k thanks for the feedback. Do you mean not talk so much in my tuitional videos or upload more videos where I just play?

[sokipureja1]

@leesankeygroup I'd like to hear you play. I like to hear harmonica solo pieces. And thanks for the intsruction videos, you'r help can't be measured in words. You are now my Harmonica God (with Gussow) :)

[portovechios]

Great! This should help with this mental block I have at the moment, this is a big wall but I remember feeling the same with Pukker Bend but eventually it came and I don't even think about it any more.

Nice work Lee

[leesankeygroup]

@portovechios It's definitely a case of once you starting getting some pitch movement with a reed, in this case draw 4, you will start to see glimpses of the technique required for tongue block bends. You need to focus in on the muscle movements, which need to be more from the throat.

[MrDzhimbo]

Fantastic lesson, Lee. I've been trying to learn TB with mixed results. I've got advice from harp forums but nobody explained the technique with this clarity. I've been using the back of the throat, but I didn't realise that sometimes I've been using the lips too. Now I can hit that 4D bend perfectly! Thanks for posting this.

[leesankeygroup]

@MrDzhimbo Wow that's great feedback. Hearing that you got the technique via this video makes me smile. Good stuff.

[HarpoonTA]

Good job, Lee. You sure withstood the challenge of finding the words needed to describe the mechanics of TB bends.

[leesankeygroup]

@HarpoonTA Cheers, was dreading covering this. We will get into more detail in the next one. Can you TB bend? Regards, Lee

[HarpoonTA]

@leesankeygroup Hi. Yes, I can TB bend but with some weird limitations; I can do it quite easily on the 2 + 3 holes but not as easily on the 4 , for some reason. On the 2 hole I can also bend half a step with ease, although the tonality needs improvement. The weirdest thing for me is the 1 hole - I find it easier to bend through the left side of my mouth, while tougher to bend from the right side (the regular side that I use while TB). Did you encounter similar hurdles while converting to TB?

[leesankeygroup]

@HarpoonTA I would say the fact you find it easier to bend the 2 than the 4 is unusual. But bending on the other side of your tongue for the 1 hole is quite typical. It's the same for me in fact. If you can hit all 3 bends on the draw three tongue blocked and with accuracy you would have mastered one of the most challenging parts of this wonderful instrument. Lee

[Tsutsomu]

Congratulations Lee and thank you so much for this new lesson. It will help me making new steps.

Friendly :

Steph.

[leesankeygroup]

@Tsutsomu Thanks Steph, I'll be posting another on TB bends in a few days. Lee

[75ironhead603]

Great lesson, Thanks for paying it foreword.

[leesankeygroup]

@75ironhead603 Not sure I understand? But sounds positive, so thanks!

[75ironhead603]

@leesankeygroup Its just amazing how many accomplished musicians take the time here on YT to share there talent expecting nothing in return. Your lessons are top notch and I would expect to pay 25 to 40 for the same type of lesson here in New England.

Cheers

Todd

[bluesnobrasil]

Keep them coming Lee. Like @gaijin134, I am making steps. Extremely useful video descriptions on topics that are difficult to communicate...TB has already added a certain spice to my playing even though I am a long way off where I'd like to be.

Thanks again.

[leesankeygroup]

@bluesnobrasil Brilliant to hear these videos are helping you directly and that my explanations make sense. We are all a long off where we would like to be! It's a life times work. Lee

[pritchharp]

Another great video Lee! I'm making some progress now in the middle octave but it's really tough going back to basics after years of lip purse bending - especially for my wife's ears! Still, I'm convinced of the benefits so will stick at it. Thanks for your help, it's much appreciated!

[leesankeygroup]

@pritchharp Cheers. Yes it's always tough to try and change something you've been doing for a long time. I would say creating one's personal level of balance between tongue blocking and lip pursing is one of the hardest things to do on this instrument. I still struggle with that balance. I've tried to approach my TB video series with that in mind. Warm regards, Lee

[g0moz]

This is the video I have been waiting for Lee thank you so much

[leesankeygroup]

@g0moz Thanks so much! As a lip purser if you can change the focus of your bends as described here, you'll be able to do them tongue blocked. Let me know how you get on. Lee

[gaijin134]

Great stuff Lee! This is like a trail to the Holy Grail. I am making steps. Thanks very much. Cheers

Eric

[leesankeygroup]

@gaijin134 Wow, great feedback. Explaining bending is very difficult so glad the concept comes across.