Difficulty with MB 3 draw
First let me say thanks again for the Harp Tech videos, they are fantastic. I've significantly improved the responsiveness of all of my harps using your techniques. I have a Bb Marine Band that practically plays itself now and I can hit even the subtle and quick parts in songs I used to have to gloss over a little.
That said, I have been unsuccessful with a Marine Band in the key of C.
The 3 draw and blow are in tune, responsive and appropriately loud. I can hit all 3 half step bends... but it requires way more effort to bend this hole than my other C harps.
Adjusting the gaps down does help, but the 3 blow reed chokes at the point where the draw bends feel good. I have played with the gaps over and over an cannot find a comfortable bend while keeping the unbent blow and draws available.
Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
I can't thank you enough... I will put it on the shelf and wait as patiently as possible... (Translation: there is a 50/50 chance I will destroy it trying stuff before the next lesson comes out.)
Fortunately, I also have a Sp 20 in C that is PERFECT after following your suggestions... I'll use that for now. I just prefer the MBs when I can get them set up just right.
Wow... all these years I've altered my technique to adjust to the harp... your processes have instantly made me a significantly better player! Our guitar player (who seems to have a digital tuner embedded in his brain) actually noticed and thanked me for getting a new harp (He was hearing a 4 year old MB with a new 5 draw reed and a tune up).
PS - Just watched the Sjoberg Harp Tuner series... I think I know where the money you are saving me on new harps is going to go.
As my iPhone Siri says to me, "I'm only here to help" ;o)
Your Harpsmith
Kinya
Hello Brother Johnson
Hmm ... it sounds to me you have been playing for quite some time now, so you are familiar with the minute changes required in our embouchure to accommodate the myriad of different harmonica keys in our harp case.
5 Second Review:
When bending notes on lowered key harmonicas (longer and weighted reeds), such as the G and A, the hump of our tongue tends to hang out closer to the middle of our mouth. For the higher keys the hump of our tongue moves closer to our front teeth. Sort of like the piston of a slide whistle (man, I drove my Mother crazy with that damn thing!) The shallower the volume of air, the higher the pitch. Essentially these adjustments are necessary to "tune" our mouth to the note we are attempting to play. Soooo ...
If you are fairly certain it is not an embouchure issue, and you can not replicate the issue on any other harmonica keys, you may have an issue with a distorted comb and draw reed plate. This means the surfaces are not absolutely flat--causing precious air to leak out to the wrong places.
Put that harmonica back on the shelf and have patience my brother, I will be demonstrating how to fix that in the next installment of Harp Tech Studies ;o)
Your Harpsmith,
Kinya