After playing a C and now an A is it normal that the 3 blow feels harder?
Hi guys,
I am actually emabrassed to post this. But it is bugging me so much today.
I have played a C Harmoanica for 6 months and have just a day ago started practing with an A. I dont know why but my 3 blow just feel so much harder to play comapred to my C harp. It feels as if i need to ensure a better flow of air, like there is less leeway.
I dont know. maybe its just one of those days. thanks
When you say harder, are you refering to bending? When you play a harp in a lower key, you need a bigger tuned chamber in your oral cavity to get the notes to bend. Lower note = bigger tuned cavity.
Great point gwknopp. Interesting interview in the most recent Blues Blast on-line magazine with rising star Andrew Alli, who talks about playing Marine Bands, both some worked on by Joe Filisko, and many more right out of the box; how each one plays a bit differently (even in a single key); and how he enjoys the challenge of adapting himself to each harmonica's quirks. Good advice for any player, beginner or pro: Make sure your body (mouth, lips, tongue, chest, etc.) and whatever harp you're playing meet each other in a unique way to get the tone and playability you seek.
What you just stated is how it feels. I am playing a Marine Band A the same way as the C. But it wont work!
Guess i need to embrace the challenge!
Thank You
Hi Winslow,
Love your Book!
Unfortanetly no i am not bending. I am trying to play my Marine Band A, the same way i was with my MArine Band C. But for some reason the 3 hole blow or draw are vastly different. Feel i need more power than i did with my C.
I am trying to play the same songs as I have been for a while, but the 3 hole has been difficult. feels as if i need more effort or it is not responding.
Thank you for your reply.
The Draw reed in Hole 3 may be gapped too high. This is something harder to deal with on the nailed-together Marine Band than on harps held together with screws.
The covers look like they're held on with screws but they're really tiny nails. You can pry the edges of the cover up by inserting a thin knife between the reedplate and the end tab of te cover. The bottom cover is the one you want to remove to examine the draw reeds.
The draw reeds are on the outside, making them easy to examine. The longest reeds are the lowest pitch, so Draw 3 will be the third-longest reed.
Examine the tips of the reeds, looking at the gap between the tip and the reedplate. The longest reeds will have bigger gaps, which get progressively lower as the reeds get shorter. Draw 3 is sometimes adjusted too high, sif it looks too high, you can lower it by gently tugging the tip down into the slot through the hole opening, then letting it go to vibrate. Try it out, and see whether it makes a difference. If you adjust it too low, you can tug outwards, to raise the gap slightly.
It's also possible that the blow reed is too high, which is a little harder to examine and adjust without prying the reedplate off the comb, which I wouldn't recommend if you've never taken a harp apart. However, you can press the tip of the blow reed, which is mounted inside the hole, through the slot and tug it up - always gently - to lower the gap.
It's also possible that the reedplate-to-comb seal is leaky in that spot, but that, again, is a matter of taking the arp completely apart. This is one reason to have harps held to gether with screws; the Marine Band Deluxe and Crossover both use screws.
Im a 5th year intermediate. Each key of harp plays slightly differently. Especially on bends. Its important you practice on each. To me the C harp blow easiest.