Blues Harmonica Lesson - Tongue Block Bends

Lee Sankey gives an introduction to playing tongue block bends on the harmonica. Lee uses a Little Walter style bend on the draw 4 to explain how tongue block bends differ from lip pursed bends and why people can struggle to do them. This lesson is aimed at beginners and intermediate players who can already bend notes using Lip Pursing but want to learn to bend using tongue blocking.

info@leesankey.com
www.harmonicathinking.com

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Lee Sankey
• harmonica
• bends
• blues
• harp
• lesson
• 'tongue
• block'
• 'lip
• pursing'
• 'Little
• Walter'

[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?

[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.

[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) :)

[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

[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]

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