Blown Reeds
Hi...Francis here. I'm a bit new to blues harmonica. I have been using SP20's. My predicament: When a note is sounding flat, when playing softly without bending, does that mean a reed has blown? I've had an A Harp for only 2 months and the 5 draw is flat (or maybe a bit sharp). I can't imagine its blown, but then again I'm new to all this. I have a D and a C that this has happened to also on the 4 draw, although they were a year older than the A. I took the face plates off and put a store receipt under the reeds and jiggled it around, just to make sure nothing was stuck under there.
If it's blown, is there another harmonica I can purchase that's around $35-40 that will hold up better? Keep in mind I like the 20s for easy bedability.
Thanks...Sicnarf (Francis spelled backwards)
Thanks Marcos...that all makes good sense. I'll try to hone in those bends so I don't have to play too hard on them. I'll try tongue and mouth corrections instead. I did find a guy who'll fix them for about $15 a harp. Lives in Tulsa. May give him a try. Francis
I blew out a bunch for the first 6 months of playing. For the last year and a half I've only blown out one though. Play quieter if you can. It's tough for bending because playing quiet and bending takes even greater fine motor control. I think it's this was for most instruments though.
It's a common problem, especially when you're first learning. It is caused by using too much pressure on the draws, especially when working on bends. We all tend (especially at first, and for some of us, forever) to play as though it takes brute force to bend a note, when actually, if you're using more pressure than on a regular draw, you're doing it wrong. (It's all about the size and shape of the sound chamber...the tongue position...you'll learn about this in bending studies on this site). The 4 and 5 draws take most of the brunt, because we use the 4 draw bend so much (and I guess because it's smaller than the 3), and because, even though we really can't bend the 5 a complete half step, we bend it some along with the 4, and sometimes bend it too hard accidentally.
With time (and with concentration on using less force), you will blow fewer and fewer 4 and 5 draw reeds. (At least, so I've been told. I still struggle).
Don't throw those harps away!
If the note is about 1/2 step flat (use a tuner...there are free ones online, and "apps"), the reed is probably beyond help. If it is just a little flat or sharp, check out Kinya's Harp Tech studies on tuning.
Kinya's Harp Tech series on this site will also teach you how to replace those reeds if you are interested and so inclined. And there are people who will replace them for you for less than the price of a new harp if you prefer.
I think all harps will have the same issue. I remember being told that the steel reeds on Seydel's harps would last forever, but I didn't have any better luck with them than with the Special 20s.
Concentrate on technique, and chalk the expense up to the price of learning!
Hope that helps.
Welcome to the addiction!