Post: #1

Anyone here really good with the harmonica? I picked one up a couple of months ago but didn't really practice seriously. But I'm really getting into it now and wanna become a pro.

I'm currently practicing Bending. Its so damn hard and I've been practicing it for days. These two videos are the ones I considered to be of most help:


I can only bend on hole 1, and barely on hole 4 (not sure if I am even bending on hole 4 correctly). I attached a recording I just did of trying to bend on these holes, any input would be appreciated. I just want to know if I am on the right path, specially on hole 4.

Recording: http://rapidshare.com/files/3139568716/H...ending.wma

I feel like sometimes I can bend on hole 1 perfectly, but when I try to do the same on the other holes to draw bend, I can't do it at all.

Post: #2

To share a file on rapid share you must create a public folder and check a few boxes that will allow you to share your files with other people. So create a new folder, a box should pop up asking you if you want it to be a public or private folder.

When you click on my account, the page it takes you to(showing all of your uploads) is by default private and when you ty to share them we get a message telling us that you have restricted us from viewing the file.

Rapid share changed its sharing policy last month.

Post: #3

(02-03-2013 06:54 PM)GBG Wrote:  To share a file on rapid share you must create a public folder and check a few boxes that will allow you to share your files with other people. So create a new folder, a box should pop up asking you if you want it to be a public or private folder.

When you click on my account, the page it takes you to(showing all of your uploads) is by default private and when you ty to share them we get a message telling us that you have restricted us from viewing the file.

Rapid share changed its sharing policy last month.

Thanks. I really didn't want to use RapidShare but couldn't think of any other place. I thought the forum would allow audio attachments but it doesn't.

Should work now, I think.

Post: #4

Yeah it works.

I don't have any advice for the harmonica but the note or notes you bent at the end sounded pretty good.

Post: #5

I can attest. Been playing for 9 years or so. Pretty soon you will be learning about mics and amps, hi-z/low-z, impedance, dynamic vs. ceramic, etc.

The deepest bend is on hole 3, then hole 2. Hole 1 and 4 can only be bent a half note down, the shallowest.

My advice is to learn tongue blocks early and to bend on tongue blocks. Its hard to do but if you force yourself you will bypass 95% of players. P.S. listen to the blind owl.

Post: #6

bending is something that you just "get" one day after sweating it out for about a week.

I learned to bend after about 5 days of carrying that damn harmonica around everywhere I went and tooting it on the sidewalk, in the subway, and taking a crap in public restrooms. i thought it'd never get it, then it just clicked.

also, oskar lee's are the easiest to bend.

Post: #7

Use Soundcloud.com for music sharing, it's great.

Post: #8

I took private harp lessons in high school for two years. I recommend a few private lessons to anyone. My harmonica songs have been used on TV shows hundreds of times. PM for song links or anything...

Post: #9

what harmonica would you guys recommend for someone that is starting I'm plan to buy it this week since I always wanted to play on harmonica but thought that you need a teacher for it.

Post: #10

You need to soften the reeds if you want to do serious bending. Soak the harmonica in water for a few hours. Then be sure to dry it off good, first with a towel, then with a hair dryer.

To really bend, learn to suck in air as if you were whistling backwards. Also, get used to breathing inward in general, because it's the inward breaths that bend your notes, not the outward ones.

Finally, start with a C harmonica, because it has a low register and the reeds are big and bendy.

Post: #11

My favorite harps:

http://www.leeoskar.com/

Post: #12

Thread ressurection here.

I just picked up a diatonic harp in 'C' from my godfather. I'm thinking this has got to be a good instrument to learn, for the following reasons:

1. It just sounds awesome. Everyone loves the harp solos on Dylan's stuff.
2. Convenience. You can carry it everywhere, it's smaller than a phone. That makes practice easier/more frequent. It also means that once you're good, it's a great prop for bar game and an easy way to get social proof as a musician type. You can always be carrying it.

I am practising tongue blocks and will soon be doing a few lessons.

Post: #13

Update- going well. Accompanied my banjo playing buddy at a local folk gig. Still playing pucker style, but I have an idea. Next couple of weeks I'm gonna be stuck in a digger cab for twelve hours a day. I've bought meself one of these.





Gonna nail it.

Post: #14

removed