My Harp Didn't Even Last A Month by Jon Harl

We’ve all heard David’s advise… if you want your harps to last longer “Play Softly.” It’s true. Just because that pro you admire plays really hard, it doesn’t mean they’re not breaking harps. I can honestly say if you have a harp fail quickly, it was caused by the operator. We just like to think that the new harmonicas are not being made as good as they used to be or one model lasts longer than another. The worst thing you can do is to play your harps loudly. This will not result in being louder on the bandstand (this is the amp’s job), but WILL result in frustration, intonation issues (how well you play in tune), stalling, weakening of tone, wasting your breath, and wearing out your reeds on your harmonicas!

Harmonica reeds swing (or in other words vibrate) very, very fast. They’re made of brass, stainless steel, or bronze. The note you’re playing is vibrating at a specific frequency. Playing harder/louder doesn’t cause the reed to vibrate faster, but it does cause the reed to swing father. That force you’re putting on the reed is bending the reed in a bigger arch and that causes the reed to fatigue and eventually break more quickly.

Here’s one of the GOLDEN RULES about playing harmonica – the softer in volume you play, the better your technique will be and your tone and subtleties will improve!

This of course goes against human nature when learning something new. We quickly become frustrated and we want to force it to make it happen…or just “try harder.” 99% of the time (or more) when we try playing with more physical force or heavier breath, it will make the technique tougher to master and the desired effects more elusive.

A side note should be made here about the harps you’re playing. If the harps you’re playing are not of at least halfway decent quality, they may be leaking too much air and some techniques will be rather difficult to play… therefore forcing it may seem like the only option. But forcing any technique is not the best route to go when you want to learn to play well. Get a better harp, and learn to control your breath and muscle movements more while you play.

Everyone breaks reeds, the hard players break more. Just saying.