Malfunctioning harmonicas
Hi Kinya
Since subscribing to blues harmonica I have purchased two Hohner MB Crossover harmonicas one G and one A. I already had Lee Oskar harmonicas.
To get to the point I find that the A Hohner needs a lot of blowing and drawing to free up the reeds every time I want to practice. This is despite blowing and drawing and tapping it out after each use. Sometimes, in particular the 2 blow hole, needs a lot of effort to get it to work. This sometimes results in me having to take the cover plates and playing around with the reed. I can never see any obvious reason e.g particles of food, but I seem to able to get it to play again after some playing around. However, my inexpert attempts don't seem very satisfactory. Is there a way of overcoming this? It doesn't appear to be a problem with otherwise identical G harmonica.
In addition, some of the holes on the A and to a lesser extent the G, seem to be out of tune. Some holes sharp others flat i.e. using my Korg CA 40 tuner. On some notes I can't get the green light to come without slightly bending the note or going to extra lengths to flatten the tongue in my mouth. Whilst not wanting to get into a debate about Hohner v Lee Oskar it is not a problem with the later. Is this a common problem or have I been unlucky. I am only a beginner so maybe I have done something wrong.
Any advice would be welcome.
Thanks
Thanks Kinya
I have played around with gaping the reeds and this has made an improvement. I think a bit more trial and error is needed to get things perfect.
I have started practicing bending and what I did notice was a big improvement in not having to free up the reeds by blowing and drawing each time that I started practicing. My bending isn't great yet but it seems to have had some effect. I don't know if there is any Science in this or I am just imagining it.
I am probably going to purchase a Sjoberg harp tuner. I am just waiting on a reply from them in relation to being able to tune Seydel as well as Lee Oskar and Hohner harmonicas.
Thanks for your help
Hello Border Collie
In order of priorities:
(1) Review and master the techniques shown on David's studies on Bending, beginning with http://www.bluesharmonica.com/lessons/bending_study_level_1
(2) Once proficient and knowledgeable about the mechanics of the instrument, then start investing into your inventory of harmonica tools.
This is important because it will be easier for you to isolate the cause of a misbehaving harmonica. As the saying goes, "Is it the tool, or the Mechanic" ;o)
Your Harpsmith
Kinya
Hello Border Collie
Q: To get to the point I find that the A Hohner needs a lot of blowing and drawing to free up the reeds every time I want to practice.
A: Both your A and G harmonicas have longer (and weighted on the low end) reeds than your Bb through F harmonicas. This means you need to flatten your tongue a bit more and drop it as low as possible to the bottom of your mouth. It helps if you could imagine your belly emulating the bellows of an accordion. Opposite of chest breathing, belly breathing will direct warm consistent breath pressure into your instrument. If your embouchure and breathing does not correct the problem, carefully disassemble your harmonica and look at the gapping of your blow reeds. You should be able to slide a feeler gauge (about .007") underneath the reed and the top surface of the reed plate. If the gap is too tight, slide the feeler gauge underneath and gently lift up the reed, then release ... this should raise the gap. If the gap is too loose (greater than .007"), then press down on the rivet end of the reed to lower the reed gap on the free end.
Tip 1: lie on your back when you practice this method, and you should see your belly rise and fall, not your chest.
Tip 2: review all the Harp Tech series
Q: In addition, some of the holes on the A and to a lesser extent the G, seem to be out of tune. Some holes sharp others flat i.e. using my Korg CA 40 tuner. On some notes I can't get the green light to come without slightly bending the note or going to extra lengths to flatten the tongue in my mouth.
A: review the Harp Tech Series on Tuning Principles (including #7).
Please check back and advise me of your progress.
Your Harpsmith
Kinya