Bending Notes
One of the most exciting sounds in harmonica playing is the use of note bending. This technique can be difficult at first and may take several months to gain control of, but is essential for Blues playing, so it is definitely worth developing. The most common bends are the inhale notes on the low end of the harmonica, from 1 to 6. It is also possible to bend exhale notes on the high end of the harmonica. However, this is a more advanced technique and is not dealt with here.
To bend a note, the back of your tongue (not the tip) needs to move up and back to the back of your mouth. This changes the flow of air, resulting in the note "bending" downwards to a lower pitch. A good way to get the right feel for the movement required for bending notes is to say the word Yo, or Yaw. Another useful exercise to prepare you for bending is to whistle a descending major scale. As you do this, notice how the back of your tongue moves back towards your throat as the pitch gets lower.
The Half Step Bend
A half step bend is indicated by the letter b above the note.
This example demonstrates a half step bend on the inhale note of hole 4. Everyone has trouble with bending at first and many people can’t do it at all when they begin, so be patient and keep at it. In time, your perseverance will definitely pay off.
Here is an exercise to help you gain control of note bending. Listen carefully as you play and keep the notes even.
Now try this Blues lick which makes use of the note bend you have just learned. A lick is a short musical phrase which can be used as a basis for improvisation or joined with other licks to form a solo.
Here are some more licks which make use of the note bend on 4. Try inventing some of your own.
More Notes to Bend
Once you can bend the 4 note, try moving to holes 5 and 6 and bending these notes too. These are also half step bends and like the 4 bend, they may be difficult at first. The following example demonstrates these two bends.
Here is an exercise to help you gain control of all three of the bends you have learned. Once again, listen carefully as you play and keep the notes even.
If you bend notes on hole 3, there are two possibilities instead of one. One of these is a half step bend and the other is a whole step bend which is a lower pitch than the first bend. The following example demonstrates both these bends.
The Whole Step Bend
A whole step bend is indicated by a line above the letter B ( n )
Here is a lick which makes use of both bends on hole 3 along with the bend on 4.
The next bend you will learn is another whole step bend, this time on hole 2. Like hole 3, there are two possible bends available here, but the half step bend is rarely used.
This exercise should help you gain control of the whole step bend on 2. This is one of the most difficult bends, so be patient with it and as with any other technique or lick you find difficult, practice it often but only for a short period each time.
This riff makes use of the 2 bend, but this time you will need to land directly on the bent note instead of hearing the natural 2 pitch first. This may take some time to master, but produces a great sound so keep at it. This riff uses a common Blues technique known as call and response, which as a question and answer style of playing either between two instruments or an instrument and vocal.
Here is a common variation on the previous riff, this time using the half step bend on hole 3.
