Re: [Harp-L] blow bends help please

[Rick Dempster <rickdempster33@xxxxxxxxx>]

After 45 years of playing harp, Randy, I continue to be amazed at the
differences
in peoples ability to do different things on the instrument, as well as the
variation in inability to do others.
The tongue block on the upper register blow bends works best for you; not
necessarily
for someone else. I always thought I could 'get' any technique on the harp,
but there are a few things
I simply can't do, and I'll have to live with that.
It's a folk instrument; the territory of the true individualist. May it
always remain that way.
There are people who play the damn thing through their noses; I'm still
waiting
for the harmonica world to discover its Le Petomane; now wouldn't that be a
'gas' (I choose
my words carefully)
RD

On 16 December 2015 at 11:32, Randy Cook <randrew379@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Disagree with the idea that a pucker makes blow bends easier. I learned on
> a 14 hole Marine Band in G. First notes I bent were the blows using a block.
> On Dec 13, 2015 5:06 AM, "Rick Dempster" <rickdempster33@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> Probably just not being patient enough, Jim! Yeah, it's easier to
>> blow bend with a pucker (and I sometimes even put my tongue under the
>> hole,
>> I suppose like a U-block) but I do tongue block and blow bend.
>> Just hang in there with it.
>> Cheers,
>> RD
>>
>> On 13 December 2015 at 09:45, <jim.alciere@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>
>> > I'm relearning tongue blocking. My bending skills with this technique
>> are
>> > poor. I can't blow bend at all. What am I doing wrong?
>> >
>> > Thanks
>> >
>> > --
>> > Jim
>> > âmyâ
>> >
>> >
>> > https://soundcloud.com/subbourbon
>> >
>> > https://www.facebook.com/SubBourbonite
>> >
>>
>