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Quante,

In over 25 years, I have not had one student come to me that was using the U-Block method that could bend well. If you're into Dylan type stuff, playing bends correctly and completely won't make much of a difference. If you're into blues, rock, and country stuff, great bending and great tone is what makes it come alive.

U-Blocking also promotes a very thin tone. Here is more on why I don't recommend it or "tongue-blocking" for people starting out and instead recommend the "Whistle Method"-
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/sinnotes.php

I can help you out better with my answer if I can hear how you sound using the U-blocking. If you don't mind a quick critique of your techniques, please send me a 30-60 second .MP3 of single notes on hole 4 blow and draw and bends on holes 2 and 4 draw (15 seconds on each is plenty). Use a standard key of "C" diatonic. I can then post it back in this Forum and hopefully you and other members can learn from our text and audio discussion. It's much easier and better to do this sort of thing in person, but this is the next best choice over the Internet.

Send it to-
webmaster@harmonicalessons.com

Play on,
Dave Gage

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yeah sure let's do it
I do'nt mind being critiqued, I won't progress unless my faults are pointed out.
And I actually am into blues, so I guess I have to eventually change my technique, sooner or later

QUICK CRITIQUE-
Single notes sound fine, but that is not the issue with U-blocking. Tone is a bit thin, but better than most I've heard using this method. The bends are at best, half way to where they should be going.

Here is the sound file-
http://www.harmonicalessons.com/members/dcforum_sounds/andreas_demo_file.mp3

SOLUTIONS-
Don't give up on the U-Blocking until you can consistently get clean single notes with the "Whistle Method". This might realistically be about 3-4 weeks for you. Read or re-read the section on Single Notes and be sure to use the mirror to check your overall mouth position and then compare to photos on the site.

After a month or so with the new single note method, work on lowering your jaw and getting the harmonica further into your mouth to produce fuller fatter tone, more volume, and play notes with better intonation.

Your bend on hole 2 draw "G" note is going down about a 1/2 step to "F#" when it should bottom out just under a whole step down a little bit flatter than an "F" note. The bend on hole 4 draw is also not going far enough down. If you have access to a chromatic electronic tuner, you will see for yourself. Most people don't get their bends to where they should be because they are not aware there is even a problem with them. All in all, pretty good.

Let us know how it goes,
Dave Gage

Both the blues bends on holes 4 and 2 draw when bent all the way to the bottom, will be a bit flatter than the natural pitch. For instance, hole 4 draw will drop below a "C#" when you hit the bottom (but not all the way to a "C"). This is where you want to learn to bend to.

The bend on hole 4 draw in 2nd position is the flatted fifth of the blues scale (b5). Having a slightly flat b5 is a good thing when playing blues, it gives a nice edge to the bend. If you were playing unison riffs with a horn section, you would want to make sure you play all your bent notes in tune. Otherwise, taking your bends on holes 2 and 4 all the way down is a good thing.

Back to the sound file you listened to, I will try to re-record it and put a new one up. It's not bent down to "C", but my bending muscles may have been working overtime that day and if it threw you off, it most likely could confuse others also.

Play on,
Dave Gage