Bending on different harps
I've started going through the bending lessons.
What I've found is that on my Special 20, pretty much straight away I've been able to bend every hole. No probs.
However on my Marine Band and Suzuki Bluesmaster I've had no such luck and can at most get a little wobble here and there.
What is the reason for such a difference with each harp? What do I have to do differently to get these darn other harps to bend?
Thanks
No. Thats a good point.
Special 20 is D, Marine Band is C and Suzuki is A.
Thanks... that's important. What you're feeling is 90% difference in the tuning (high harp vs low harp), not the model... though an overly airy harp can make bending pretty hard. It's all in tongue placement. Example... play your 1' on the D Harp (the note E) and then the 2' on your A Harp (also the note E... the same reed from the factory)... the tongue placement for these bends are identical... so, if you feel any difference, it's in the model/setup of the harp. In general, referencing the D Harp, the C harp will require you to bring your tongue back slightly more for all bends... the A Harp will require you to bring all of your bends back a lot more. Watch Bending Study 1 again, paying close attention to tongue location for low and high bends.
A side note, try the Hohner Crossover as your next new harp (get the A, you'll use it a lot), it's a fantastic harmonica... you'll find that it bends easier than all of those models.
Thanks, thats really helped.
I have been going back and forth between harps and can now bend all three. I feel sorry for my dog who has had to put up with some terrible sounds!
I do still struggle a bit with holes 2 & 3 on the marine band. It feels like I have to suck quite hard to get the pitch to move at all and I run out of breath before I can get anywhere.
I bought the marine band cheap on ebay and have taken it apart to clean it up and then nailed it back together. I was a bit daunted at the prospect of drilling through the reed plates to get screws put in. So could it just be that this harp is overly airy?
Just to note that everyone is different. For me is easy to bend on a marine band than on a special 20.
Yes it can be personal, no doubt, but out of the box Marine Bands are known for not being a very tight harmonica... you're going to have to play with some more gusto. Try the Crossover, you'll be thanking me!
Actually I am setting up a new set of crossovers. I really like the comb, is very very nice.
I like marine bands but I don't want to spend time bolting them and changing the pear comb.
DreddySlim, wait until you start messing around with blow bending. Then your dog will REALLY love you.
Question for you before I can answer your question. Are all of these models of harps in the same key? In other words, are you comparing apples with apples here?