Bending Harmonica: Notes Played With Soul

Please play along with this video
using your C harmonica.

Prior to learning to bend harmonica notes, it will be a huge help to first learn the Deep Relaxed Embouchure. You will find a free lesson on this at the link below the video.

This video is taken from:

The Secret To Playing Harmonica with a Sweet Soulful Tone:
Finally Learning to Bend. (A Workshop In Mastering Bending)

This bending DVD is only available as part of my discount instructional bundle. This is because all of my DVDs have been pre-bundled to save my students money and make sure they have everything they need to succeed with the harmonica.

CLICK HERE for more info and for a free lesson on The Deep Relax Mouth Embouchure. If you want to learn to bend, it will be a huge help to first learn The Deep Relaxed Mouth Position.

Tagged with: bending • harmonica bending

Responses to This Article

•   
  Tom Gray

  CRIKEY!!!!

  I REALLY FEEL IMPORTANT WHEN I RECEIVE THE COMPLIMENTARY EMAILS AND INSTRUCTIONAL STUFF YOU OFFER.

  THANKS FOR THE CONTINUAL MOTIVATION THAT YOU GIVE ALL OF YOUR FANS AND INTERNET STUDENTS.

  ONE DAY WHEN I CAN PLAY WITH CONFIDENCE, YOUR NAME WILL BE FIRST AND FOREMOST ON THE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT LIST!

  MY GRANDSON & I ARE WORKING THROUGH YOUR INSTRUCTIONAL LESSONS AND I JUST CAN’T WAIT TILL WE CAN SHOW PEOPLE WHAT WE CAN DO, THANKS TO YOU.

  BEST REGARDS,

  GRANDAD TOM & GRAND-SON CODY.

  NEW ZEALAND

  [Reply]

•   
  Tom Gray

  J.P.

  CAN YOU COME STAY WITH US IN NEW ZEALAND FOR A WEEK SOMETIME. LOOK AT WWW. ROUGHANDTUMBLE.CO.NZ AND SEE WHAT YOU THINK.

  WE NEED YOUR HELP.

  GRANDAD TOM & GRANDSON CODY.

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  Wow. This is amazing. Just tonight my best friend here in Kauai, Hawaii was just encouraging me to go to New Zealand. I’d love to stay with you some day!

  What months do you recommend I come. Does it get warm?

  jp

  [Reply]

    

  Gary LeBlanc

  I started playing the harp in my teen years and still love this instrument.I am a big fan of the blues and always will be,but as you know there is more than just playing the blues on a harp.Your videos and explanations are truly helpful and there is no doubt you are helping to carry on the great tradition of harmonica players the world over.Thanks for all that you share.

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  Thankyou Gary,
  I appreciate the encouragement and gratitude, I love sharing this instrument.

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  theo hertog

  J.P
  Op de eerste plaats bedankt voor alle goede lessen en vooral de nuttige tips. Speel de harmonica in een combo van een shantykoor en ik hoop nog meer van je te horen,

  Groeten, shantyman Theo

  [Reply]

•   
  Rhiannon

  My dad got a tattoo of a Hohner Special 20 with the words “harmonica buddies” around it. He did it for me because I am his harmonica buddy. It looks good. I tell my dad I like a song and he keeps playing it till he gets it. We are not really good yet but we have fun. Thank you for your emails. I always look forward to them. Your Friend, Rhiannon

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  Hi Rhiannon! I love your dad and I’ve never even met him. I’m so happy for you that your dad is your harmonica buddy!

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  Alma Engel

  Wonderful lesson on bending! It’s difficult for me, but I will keep trying. My great-grandson is learning harmonica along with me. He is doing much better than I. He hasn’t seen this bending lesson yet, but I know he will catch on quickly.

  Thanks so much for spreading harmonica joy around the planet. I love your e-mails.

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  You’re welcomed Alma!

  It’s difficult for everyone at first….but your great-grandson may make it look easy…

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  Tony

  JP just love it when I get a mail from you, been trying to bend but now you have given me some more tricks to try I know I have to be able to bend to play the blues and I will get there, thanks.

  Tony

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  Right on Tony.

  Make sure you’ve got the deep relaxed mouth position mastered. It’s essential that you find a mouth position that enables you to play single notes and have total freedom in the opening and closing of the jaw.

  Thanks Tony!

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  Geoff - down under

  Thanks this really helps. I have been having a lot of fun during these recent school holidays improving as I am going along trying out new tunes. Even my family members are beginning to appreciate it somewhat now – and that’s saying something.
  Thanks once again.
  Geoff – down under.

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  He Geoff,

  Good to here from you – down under. Nice that your family members are supporting you in your progress. This can be a big help when family members are encouraging.

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  Egert

  You really teach well…

  There are many videos in youtube, but most of them are hurrying too much. All they do is demonstrate theyr own skills and some forget the prime thing… (there are exeptions, of course:)

  Good job!

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  THANKS EGERT. Wow. I try so hard to explains thing slowly and clearly. I’m so glad my efforts are paying off. I really love to help people with the harmonica.

  jp

  [Reply]

    

  mohamed a.j

  hi can you help me we are unable to play kiryus harmonica theme,you are our hope ,no one plays it you will find it at youtube,or at least hear it and say for us in witch harmonica tone if c,d,e or something can be play it we need to play this plz

  [Reply]

•   
  Kayleigh

  I just want to say that I love your DVDs! I started harmonica around 5 years ago and stopped because I was stuck, and couldn’t find a teacher anywhere. I wanted to take it up again and your DVDs and lessons have helped me so much. The deep relaxed embouchure really helped getting those single notes out and the notes sound so much more clear and soulful. And I can wail and bend! I have so much fun playing and it really gets me all hyped up and happy Can’t wait to learn more!

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  Hey Kayleigh,
  I’m so glad to hear you’re getting so much joy out of playing!

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  Miguel

  Thank you…thank you,,,Thank you…!!!!!!!!!!
  My Name is Miguel,,,i’m from Miami… and It’s amazing…I Did it..!!!!! just During the Video,,,, Holy Harmony..!!!
  Incredible the Sounds that i just played…!!!!!!!!!!!
  i just started playing Harmonica….
  I’m so Greatful with you… you are such a huge inspiration,motivation to me,besides Sonny Boy Williamson…..
  THANX AGAIN…!!!
  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1XzAqInUK0 i uploaded on june 1st.

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  Hey Miguel,

  Excuse my french but I just checked out your YouTube video and you are kickin’ A!

  I know we all have a lot of room for improvement but your really on the right track.

  Keep it up and thanks for being a harmonica buddy1

  jp

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  Right on Miguel!

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  Robert Ziejewski

  I saw your cross harmonica playing course & I bent a couple of notes on the harmonica. Ta- ta, for now!!

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  Nice going Robert!

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  Arlene

  Hello! Thanks for this video on Harmonica lesson that I am receiving from you. I may suggest you to create a fan page on Facebook and from there, I can like your page and may even suggest you to my friends there. Thanks a lot for this lesson! I never regret purchasing my Harmonica which is with me for almost one year now, hope you can visit Philippines. God bless!!!

  Arlene

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  Your welcome Arlene,
  Thanks for the invite,

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  Jim

  In 1948 I listened to Wayne Raney(sp), and his houndog talking harmonica. Now 62 yrs later I’m finally trying with my Honer Special 20, and its good for “lung power.”
  CD’s & DVD’s by you JD has helped, maybe this old fogie will possess the ability to get way past happy birthday…..tnks again.

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  Hey Jim,

  yes harmonica is great for the lungs, have fun chuggin’

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  Chris

  nice post! thanks jp

  [Reply]

    

  JJ

  I 2nd that emotion!

  [Reply]

•   
  jason

  I`m 10 years old and learned bending on my first try!

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  Hey Jason!!!

  That’s so cool. If you can bend well at age 10 you can easily become a professional harmonica player if you want to.

  I didn’t know how to bend till I was about 22….(that’s when I started playing harmonica…so you have a big head start over me…

  jp

  [Reply]

    

  jason

  thanks for the inspiration

  [Reply]

    

  SparkyBoy

  Hey JP, I just want to say that I’m 22 and saving to buy my first harmonica,the Hohner Special 20. Knowing the fact that you actually started playing harmonica at 22 is very encouraging for me,because I see that it is never to late to learn harmonica. I hope that in the near future I’ll also be able to buy your course.
  All the best wishes…
  SparkyBoy from Europe…:)

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  Yes SparkyBoy,
  it’s never too late to bring on the music,

  jp

•   
  yang

  uggh…this will be difficult to learn TAT

  I’m not old enough to buy anything online so i am unable to get ur full dvd set.
  but thanks for posting this online jp ^^

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  Your welcome Yang

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  Colin B

  Hi JP.

  Have worked my way through the first two dvds and almost throught the first cd 1 of your bundle and i am really enjoying learning this instrument. I’ve never been able to learn to play an instrument properly but i am so focussed on being able to play the harmonica.

  My question is, with Xmas coming up, is it worthwhile maybe asking for some harmonica in different keys? I currently have the 2 bluesband harmonicas plus a C key Big River Harp and was wondering when you thought it was suitable to try out a harmonica in a different key.

  Thanks again

  Colin
  Scotland

  [Reply]

    

  jpallen

  Hey Colin,

  I think you’ll be stoked to get some different keys. The four most helpful are G, A, C, D. You might want to try the special 20.

  Good luck Colin!

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  Colin B

  Hey JP,

  I’ve worked my way through the first 2 DVDs and 2 cd’s on your bundle and last night started on the third DVD. Really struggling on the bending at the moment.

  Do you suggest that i move onto the DVD “Finally learning to bend” or should i be focussing on single note playing as i am still struggling to get clear notes especially on holes 8,9 & 10.

  We’ve got 3 feet of snow outside so i’m hoping my harmonica playing will put some warmth back into my house over this cold winter.

  Kind regards
  Colin

  [Reply]

    

  jpallen

  Hey Collin,

  First I want to say Congratulations for accomplishing so much so fast.

  I agree with what you said in your message. Before moving on with bending it will be very helpful to become confident with your single notes.

  There are many ways to do this: You could learn a simple song. You could start on my Blues DVD #1. You could also just have fun improvising and playing any single notes you like in any order.

  Looks like the snow is doing your harmonica some good.

  Warmly,

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  Colin B

  Thanks JP

  Yeah the snow is stopping me from going out so i’m staying in with the harp!

  I’ve got a few tabs for Xmas songs that i will try and learn over the festive period.

  Hope you have a good xmas and new year!

  Colin

  [Reply]

    

  jpallen

  Thanks Colin!!!

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  Chet

  JP, excellent video! I’ve seen other instructions on bending but nothing has worked until I watched your instructions. Not solid yet, but instant initial success. Mahalo, brah!

  Chet (on Oahu)

  [Reply]

    

  jpallen

  Hey Chet!!!

  You’re welcomed. I’m glad you liked the video. Beautiful last couple of days here in Hawaii.

  Keep practicing those bends and stay in touch.

  jp

  [Reply]

    

  Chet

  Hey JP,

  Stay dry and safe! I hear it is crazy there now with the rain. We’re next in line.

  Your follow-up lessons are terrific! Your enthusiasm is clear and very welcome and refreshing. I’m advocating your lessons to other musicians at my workplace. I also look forward to soon buying your DVD set and the Hohner harmonica you suggest.

  Mele Kalikimaka!

  Chet

  [Reply]

•   
  JP Allen

  Thanks Chet!!! If you can treat yourself to a Hohner Special 20 I think you’ll be very happy with it.

  Thanks for spreading the good word.

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  Judi

  JP you are absolutely a joy to watch ! Your enthusiasm and personality are second to none ! I hope your course helps me…. Just need to play one little harmonica piece to Harvest Moon by Neil Young. I told my friend who I have been watching play guitar and sing for 30 yrs if HE would learn that song I would learn the harmonica part.. WELL… he sure did learn it…. so now I must honor my word lol. then after I can play that, I plan on continuing….

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  Hey Judi,
  Have fun with it!!

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  Morgan

  I just got my first harmonica for Christmas, I’m learning my first song (Silent Night), and I’m already (beginning to) get it with bending! I’m already in love with my new best friend; thanks so much for your awesome videos, lessons, songs, and info! I hope I’ll get as good as I hope to be! Thanks again!

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  Hey Morgan,
  I’m so happy to hear you’re enjoying them

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  ali sadeghi makki

  Hi. Thanks for all your video. I live in iran. There is no harmonica refrence here. Your videos are very useful for me.

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  Great to hear they are helping you Ali!

  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  Felipe Atton

  Hey JP!
  I’m Felipe, from Santiago, Chile!
  I just bought and armonica last week and i have done all your three free lessons levels, and they were awesome! Learn all the train tips, hints and rythms, they are really good to start getting good flows.
  Your way to explain is so good, i encourage some friends that quited harmonica to get it back and they loved it!
  You are a good teacher and give everyone so much courage and cheer us up so much that i really wanna play better even with one week of playing!
  I still have some trouble though. I can’t bend like you or the sounds i hear in other videos, and i think its some tongue thing. I just wanna bend notes to sound great!
  Any help would be awesome!
  Abd remember, you have a place to stay in chile anytime you want! Just email me and here will be my family for you and friends!
  Best wishes for you, and REALLY thank you for all the help and tips you taught me!
  Felipe

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  Hey Filipe. Wow! I felt so grateful reading your email. Thank you for your kind words. If you don’t have my bending DVD I would say the best way to progress on bending is to begin my focusing on the 1 draw and/or the 4 draw holes. You’ll also need a professional instrument like the Hohner Special 20. I would also recommend you practice without the harmonica. Here’s how to practice without the harmonica in your mouth: 1. While inhaling drop the tip of your tongue and raise the back of your tongue. 2. Create a tight passage way for the air to pass through by pushing the back of the tongue against the roof of the mouth. All the air should shoot up the center of the mouth and no air should leak around the teeth. This is called a JET STREM (the sound of the air rushing through your mouth at and accelerated rate). Try to make the sound of the jet stream as loud as possible. 3. Now move the back of the tongue forward and backward in the mouth to change the pitch of the jet stream. (This is the key to bending. By changing the pitch of the jet stream you are changing the resonant frequency of you mouth and the harmonica reed will respond in kind). REMINDER: MAKE SURE THE TIP OF YOUR TONGUE STAYS DOWN as you scrape the back of your tongue forward and backward against the roof of your mouth. I’ll make another special free video for you soon to help you more clearly understand this. It may take me a few months but I’ll add it to my to do list. I hope that helps Filipe! You’re Harmonica Buddy, JP

  [Reply]

•   
  ali sadeghi makki

  Hi jp

  Thak you for your very useful lessons.

  [Reply]

    

  JP Allen

  You’re welcomed Ali!
  jp

  [Reply]

•   
  Mary

  Thank you soooo much for the free lrssons !!!. My boyfriend gave me a Johnson harmonica a few weeks ago. I really enjoy learning from you !!!
  Thanks again.
  Mary

  [Reply]

•   
  John

  Hi JP from Flint in North Wales UK.
  I am 52 years young and found an Honner Harmonica in my loft when I was moving and picked it up the other day, I have just joined a Welsh Male Voice Choir, so I am trying to lean the Welsh language. It is so hard
  anyway thanks for the advise on playing it, I play the Guitar and have done since I was at school all those years ago,
  your teaching is Awesome my friend

  [Reply]

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Hi my name is JP Allen,

If you would like to receive your 5-lesson video series for free, please put your email address in the box above. I'm going to show you my favorite tricks for playing blues, rock and county music. Tricks that are pretty darn easy to learn but sound really cool.

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If you want to learn how to play the songs you love with soul and feeling, it's crucial to know what what's going on hidden inside the mouth.

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