How to Play the Harmonica: Bending Notes on Harmonica

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 30 มิ.ย. 2010
  • ► Need a fast track for learning harmonica? www.harmonica.com/lessons/
    One of the most important ways to add soul to your harmonica playing is to bend!
    FYI: JP is now retired from teaching harmonica, but you can catch up with him over here:
    www.gofundme.com/f/hmmrss-sup...
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ความคิดเห็น • 516

  • @natjobo3555
    @natjobo3555 8 ปีที่แล้ว +85

    I swear if my mom walks in she's gonna think I'm choking on something

  • @rcala1980
    @rcala1980 8 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    Holy shit. I've literally watched over a dozen tutorials on bending and not one of them even elaborated on all the points as you did. I went absolutely nowhere with those videos. THANK YOU JP Allen!!! I tried "ko" and "ahh" with the back of my tongue down and used my soft palate...I got the bend (not 100% perfect) in 5 minutes. Now I'm on the right track. I wanna give you a hug dude! LOL.
    Everyone else, don't even bother listening to people in the comments give advice...just watch this damn video or look elsewhere.
    Peace, from Oahu! ✌🏾️✌🏾✌🏾

  • @mrcrowley951
    @mrcrowley951 9 ปีที่แล้ว +28

    ive seen every single tutorial on utube on how to bend notes with a harmonica,been trying for 9 months and i accidentally did it while i was watching ur vid.i accidentally did it again and now i do it on purpose!! lesson learned,thanks buddy ;)

    • @winstonchurchill624
      @winstonchurchill624 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      mrcrowley951 Good job. With bending, it seems that you either get it really fast or it takes a damn long time.

  • @Bloodrush87
    @Bloodrush87 13 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    this got me my first bend, and of course with lots of other previous videos, but this one is probably one of the better tutorials on bends around youtube.

  • @projectitis
    @projectitis 11 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Hands down the best bending tutorial I've viewed. I've made decent progress over the years but never been able to bend a note. Through this video I've been able to do it.

  • @ia5662
    @ia5662 8 ปีที่แล้ว +32

    This guy is the Bill Nye of harmonicas, I'm loving it

    • @Birbonator
      @Birbonator 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      LOL I just bought an harmonica and stumbled onto this channel. I COMPLETELY agree with you. This dude is awesome I love him. Love his videos. Clearly he's making these vids to share his passion and help fellow harmonica players

  • @kalebgates7711
    @kalebgates7711 8 ปีที่แล้ว +112

    So to bend I become darth vader?

    • @infinitemila6120
      @infinitemila6120 8 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Basically 😂😂

    • @benjohnalbino7039
      @benjohnalbino7039 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Kaleb Gates i was doing the "kho" and i read this and laughed turned into darth vader

    • @Lukeydookee
      @Lukeydookee 6 ปีที่แล้ว

      +A Serious Salamander
      haha, you're totally right!

    • @KellyDawnGoneWrong
      @KellyDawnGoneWrong 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      LMAO so funny 😂. He's good though! Good information.

  • @ClaudiaReneFuentes
    @ClaudiaReneFuentes 8 ปีที่แล้ว +19

    Dude I'm getting it! This video had me in tears but I almost got it and I just started playing harmonica 5 minutes ago hahaha.

  • @dovlandzbaum5036
    @dovlandzbaum5036 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    I give anyone credit for trying to teach someone how to bend, so my hat's off to you, JP. Why do I give anyone credit for that? Two reasons: (1) Anecdote: When Howard Levy was just getting acquainted with the harmonica, he asked his already pretty accomplished harp-playing buddy how he bent notes, and his friend said he couldn't explain it.
    And (2) I learned how to bend notes simply by playing...a lot!
    All the best to all the harp players out there!

  • @mackharrison7448
    @mackharrison7448 9 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    Watching this video in August 2010 started me on playing blues harp. All started with a bend! Thanks JP!

  • @sliver347
    @sliver347 9 ปีที่แล้ว +5

    SO hard to bend notes, but with your video dude, and your relaxing talking (gives me a sense of patience with your talking) I have now been able to bend the 1st, slowly moving onto the next ones! With your tips to continue improving I know I'll have it down in no time! Thanks a bunch!

  • @schrobay
    @schrobay 11 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Dude you are like a Harmonica GOD!!! I seriously got the bending technique in like 10 minutes after watching this!!! Thank you so much!!! It's people like you, that make a difference in the world today!!! Keep on keepin on brother!!!!

  • @filiptisma3891
    @filiptisma3891 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    By far the most useful tutorial on bending... Ive been playing for a week now and could only barely bend on the first hole. Now all thats missing is the second bend on the second hole and the final bend on hole 3. In like 10 minutes after watching your video Ive made so much progress

  • @blymark83
    @blymark83 9 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Amazing video. Most precise explanation of the physical action of the mouth while bending I've seen. Super helpful.

  • @sumukhanagesha8682
    @sumukhanagesha8682 8 ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome stuff! I had tried a lot of youtube videos to try to learn bending. This one is easily the best and clearly explains how to get there fast!

  • @yalqam1
    @yalqam1 8 ปีที่แล้ว

    I've been trying to learn bending for weeks now. Watched tons of videos. This is BY FAR the best explanation and i got it within the first try of these instructions. Thank you so much! :D

  • @someoneonyoutube1993
    @someoneonyoutube1993 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    This was the best lesson for bending! I got a few bends. Hard to repeat but finally worked a little.

  • @avalinah
    @avalinah 11 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    bends initially are not hard at all, i learned them in one day, but still it's much easier to do them better and more deeply when you listen to the mechanism of how it works. and this guy explains it the best. i've listened to quite a few explanations, but this one's definitely the clearest.

  • @truffleshuffl
    @truffleshuffl 12 ปีที่แล้ว

    yeh!!!!!!!!!! thanks man ur great, as soon as u just hear it once and know it is genuinely possible with the harmonica u have is a great moment!

  • @maximilianoperezfeulien2734
    @maximilianoperezfeulien2734 8 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video. Easily explained and got me to finally get somewhere. Thanks!!!

  • @arniemax1
    @arniemax1 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    once again...Your ability to convey the Information about playing, etc.
    is Excellent. I 'get it' with your videos...Thanks...

  • @mibadura
    @mibadura 10 ปีที่แล้ว +14

    My mom walked in to my room when he was showing how to move your tongue, and she was pretty freaked out :D

  • @Annettesmusic
    @Annettesmusic 13 ปีที่แล้ว

    First video I watched out of about 20 that taught me how to bend my first note. Yay! Thank you!

  • @SIXSTRINGOD
    @SIXSTRINGOD 11 ปีที่แล้ว

    one of the most discriptive how to vids ive ever seen. thanks!

  • @yuyiya
    @yuyiya 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    What a FINE teacher you are, JP! :-) Now I finally understand the mechanics of the draw bend! You show us _exactly_ what we need to do to make this bend happen. Thanks heaps! :-)

  • @TheNucaKola
    @TheNucaKola 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    This video is fantastic! The vintage video quality is different, his descriptive instructions on mouth movements with bending was surprisingly clear, and I picked up the technique in minutes of trying on my first day of even owning a harmonica! Also the instructor looks like a younger Tom Cruise with longer hair!

  • @BAD1994life
    @BAD1994life 9 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I figured it out pretty quickly, thanks for this man I will enjoy this lesson for the rest of my life!

  • @lmkwok3406
    @lmkwok3406 9 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks a lot!😄I know how to bend the notes now,your videos really helps!!!

  • @tomjambor2519
    @tomjambor2519 11 ปีที่แล้ว

    this is an excellent lesson. one of best on the tube. great teaching style

  • @zackgto77
    @zackgto77 12 ปีที่แล้ว

    the moment of truth bending...serious awesome lesson bro..thanks! god bless

  • @FredericZolnet
    @FredericZolnet 11 ปีที่แล้ว

    Honestly the best bending instruction I found so far on youtube. Got my first bend! Thanks!

  • @conanbrophy4406
    @conanbrophy4406 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video. I learnt how to bend from this vid about two years ago. Forgot how to do it and came back again. Bending again now. Great teaching!

  • @adamrobc
    @adamrobc 11 ปีที่แล้ว

    been trying to bend for months, seen loads of vids and within 2 mins of watching this was bending notes - great lesson!

  • @dwb543
    @dwb543 12 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have watched hundreds of videos, read books but have never been able to bend until now! I had to move up to the 4th until I could get it! Thanks so much once again

  • @coolvibe17
    @coolvibe17 10 ปีที่แล้ว

    Hands down best bending video omg I am finnaly getting what I wanted to do for a song!

  • @GenePalmiter
    @GenePalmiter 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    10 days and 30 beginning lessons and now this! My first bend!

  • @jombangrawalele
    @jombangrawalele 10 ปีที่แล้ว +88

    i think my tongue's broken

  • @forzamilano94
    @forzamilano94 12 ปีที่แล้ว

    man, you're the best... all of the others just kept sayin "you gotta feel it yourself, there's no way to show how to learn to bend". All you did was just say "bullshit, this is how it's done"! I'm sooo grateful, worked perfectly the first time I tried ;)

  • @magicshoemonkey
    @magicshoemonkey 12 ปีที่แล้ว

    Holy crap, I've been trying this for days, watched 4 or 5 different videos, and now within the first 3 minutes of this video I figured out, at least how to do it, even if it still sounds awful. Thanks a billion.

  • @stevensaunders386
    @stevensaunders386 9 ปีที่แล้ว

    I've watched a few videos about bending, this has been the best of all. especially with the yawning part of the technique! Thanks for the upload!

  • @Cleared_To_Land
    @Cleared_To_Land 8 ปีที่แล้ว

    Excellent lesson! Great teacher.

  • @2012Aragorn
    @2012Aragorn 12 ปีที่แล้ว

    Brilliant. Not played harmonica until today, checked this out and was bending (of sorts) within minutes. Thanks.

  • @Damiensmusicnow
    @Damiensmusicnow 12 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great lesson!

  • @TheTupeng
    @TheTupeng 13 ปีที่แล้ว

    great!!! im learning it.. this is an example of a good teacher

  • @JorandeRaaff
    @JorandeRaaff 13 ปีที่แล้ว

    This helped me SO much already! Tank you!!!

  • @vicentesulbaran9112
    @vicentesulbaran9112 8 ปีที่แล้ว

    Exceptional explanation. I've got it at once, but I still need practice. Thumbs up

  • @AndrewKozley
    @AndrewKozley 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I'VE FINALLY LEARNED IT! THANKS A LOT

  • @stephjans6411
    @stephjans6411 10 ปีที่แล้ว

    brilliant lesson, thanks so much for showing this with detail.

  • @kimwh761
    @kimwh761 10 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks a lot. It helped me so much.
    God bless you.

  • @paulthiem205
    @paulthiem205 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    read two books, watched endless amounts of videos and this guy teaches me bending in under 4 minutes...

  • @TheGPackers
    @TheGPackers 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I have watched TONS of videos to explain this, and the only word I needed was ‘Yawn’. Thank you!

  • @Ezguitarpick
    @Ezguitarpick 12 ปีที่แล้ว

    Fantastic explanations. Best I have heard/seen. thx

  • @TheAsteriskMark
    @TheAsteriskMark 13 ปีที่แล้ว

    Best harmonica teacher ever... I succeeded at the first try! Thank you sir!

  • @MadnessOfMarmots
    @MadnessOfMarmots 12 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is by far the best video on how to bending.

  • @cognoz
    @cognoz 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very nice
    it took 30 min to learn how to bend, thx to you!

  • @DazEdword
    @DazEdword 8 ปีที่แล้ว

    This video is REALLY HELPFUL.

  • @oiram32
    @oiram32 13 ปีที่แล้ว

    finally I got it!!! best lesson on youtube!!! thanks a lot

  • @saabydo
    @saabydo 12 ปีที่แล้ว

    Well done man, great teacher

  • @ppgab
    @ppgab 7 ปีที่แล้ว +110

    harmonica tutorials are always so fucking weird

  • @TheGreenLeaf92
    @TheGreenLeaf92 12 ปีที่แล้ว

    I knew nothing about bending. then i watched this video, im not using this technique exacly, but it helped me find away to get started :) thanks, best vid out there for sure!

  • @utubepheeling
    @utubepheeling 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks. This tutorial is very helpful!

  • @NicholasBrule
    @NicholasBrule 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Very Helpful Technique, Thank You!

  • @opoknock
    @opoknock 11 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great lesson!!!!

  • @athenasword1
    @athenasword1 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This guy, when I first started out taught me how to play songs like bridge over troubled water
    Bright eyes , don’t cry for me Argentina etc THANK YOU.

    • @Harmonicacom
      @Harmonicacom  3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Yes! He's great! Thank YOU!

    • @sepultura7771
      @sepultura7771 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Insanely sad he fell 60 feet and lost his right hand completely,left hand totally messed up
      Left leg amputated and right leg paralyzed
      Horrible to happen to someone so friendly and nice

  • @googull271
    @googull271 11 ปีที่แล้ว

    Got a massive bend outta this! Thanks man. Subscribed!!

  • @vyomdeepansh
    @vyomdeepansh 7 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Man, a helpful lesson it is. Plus you remind me of Mathew McConaughey. It's like getting a harmonica tutorial from Mathew McConaughey. Cheers!

  • @kjw291
    @kjw291 13 ปีที่แล้ว

    a good tutorial, definitely gave me some insight into what I'm supposed to be doing

  • @ZacToff
    @ZacToff 13 ปีที่แล้ว

    Nicely explained, like it!

  • @jakeceder
    @jakeceder 8 ปีที่แล้ว

    First time I managed to bend a note, took me a couple of weeks but finally got a bend on first hole! Thanks!

  • @rollcd111
    @rollcd111 12 ปีที่แล้ว

    i jsut strated learning a few videos ago and now i can do this trick
    this realy helps and sounds awesome

  • @gepickett
    @gepickett 12 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great Teacher! I'm getting it!

  • @Mralmostpig
    @Mralmostpig 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    I watched many tutorials and this is the only one that has worked for me. I still need to practice but I can at least make it occasionally now!

  • @yamahaacoustic95
    @yamahaacoustic95 12 ปีที่แล้ว

    Bending breakthrough!! I have never been this consistent!

  • @PlutodoskySatan
    @PlutodoskySatan 13 ปีที่แล้ว

    You're really good teacher, and so with smiles and practice drawing, thank you very much.

  • @bromixsr
    @bromixsr 12 ปีที่แล้ว

    This is probably one of te best explanations, technique wise. I've been, for a while of and on and in that time playing beds only using my mouth shape, ee-oh. It makes a big difference in using the whole mouth structure, bends come faster and are more easily controlled. Nice stuff, have to try it on my wife as well.

  • @bigmommaziga4095
    @bigmommaziga4095 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Oh my god dude thank you so much. You are amazing, the only one that could help me. Earned a sub :D

  • @MichaelNusMusic
    @MichaelNusMusic 13 ปีที่แล้ว

    Really good teacher. I can already do it on the first hole!

  • @NickCheng93
    @NickCheng93 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    This video really helped! I found dropping the jaw to be important and also tilting the harmonica up (the side away from your mouth) slightly, and eventually I got it after 2 days.

  • @harsha_sree_t
    @harsha_sree_t 10 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you so much to explain in so much detail.. Im just abt getting it now and will continue to practice :)

  • @bongkagztoy
    @bongkagztoy 13 ปีที่แล้ว

    you're a good teacher..keep it up dude..

  • @LiveNudeSwearing
    @LiveNudeSwearing 10 ปีที่แล้ว

    Wow...that really helped. I'm going to use the breathing as a warm up exercise before I play. Thanks alot!

  • @joejoebeefcraft
    @joejoebeefcraft 11 ปีที่แล้ว

    I just got one at a thriftshop now I can actually play it! Thanks!

  • @Oscar88959
    @Oscar88959 11 ปีที่แล้ว

    More easy said than done, it really helps but it requires a lot o practice.
    But It`s the most helpful of them all.
    Thanks a lot.

  • @Saleh.rahimi
    @Saleh.rahimi 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    that worked thank you very much.

  • @stephenjohnson1112
    @stephenjohnson1112 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    This is the real deal! It works! Thank you so much!

  • @lotemtzur
    @lotemtzur 8 ปีที่แล้ว

    thank you so much!!
    the 'ko' thing helped a lot

  • @tefstepho
    @tefstepho 8 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Really neat vid. Helped me a lot :)

  • @mattashmore9675
    @mattashmore9675 10 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    JP,
    This lesson REALLY helped me to better understand. I'd just been playing 3 days and I was able to bend 1 draw. This really solidified it for me... I just wish I could get the hang of 2 draw! Could you go through each step by step?

  • @robertbrunston5406
    @robertbrunston5406 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Very good! Thank you.

  • @Ro7aTION
    @Ro7aTION 13 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thank you so much, I was able to bend (a little) on my first try after watching your video! Great lesson!

  • @jacobbruley1879
    @jacobbruley1879 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    When I started watching your video, I couldn't help but laugh at the explanations and demonstrations (no offense intended, of course, it was just really funny). But, dude, when I tried the "ko" thing like you said, I have never been so close to actually bending notes successfully! Thanks so much!

  • @MrLarryrogers
    @MrLarryrogers 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    buddy you da guy. I finally started bending the notes thanks to you. Cheers

  • @zhulia
    @zhulia 12 ปีที่แล้ว

    THIS IS MY FAVORITE VIDEO ON TH-cam

  • @gustafson74may
    @gustafson74may 8 ปีที่แล้ว

    JP-
    I got your happy harpin' DVD about a year ago, I had some things happen which caused me to stop for 6 months. fyi I have finished the DVD today with going through about 5-6 lessons a day at a set time. I'm anxious to keep learning. Thank you for doing the video, I Really enjoyed doing it. I plan on continuing practicing I'm one way or another.
    Timothy G

  • @sylvie91tud
    @sylvie91tud 8 ปีที่แล้ว

    i get it! i get it! thank so much! you are a great teacher!

  • @dknego1
    @dknego1 12 ปีที่แล้ว

    thank you so much, you are a great teacher, i learned this tehnique immediately ;D

  • @Shane4sax
    @Shane4sax 11 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great explanation thank you so much this has really helped me with bending holes one and two.

  • @thomasdybdahl1673
    @thomasdybdahl1673 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    This tutorial is crazy good! Thank you so much.

  • @icabellomusic
    @icabellomusic 12 ปีที่แล้ว

    Great video man!!

  • @jameslloyd7409
    @jameslloyd7409 10 ปีที่แล้ว

    got it straight away!thanks