Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Heads Up Everyone, Episode 9, "Easy Reeding" 4 Methods for Removing and Replacing Harmonica Reeds is live and chock full of terrific close-ups and comprehensive handout. Let's chat after you've had a chance to view...

https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harpsmith_bench

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

Hi Kinya,

I've been wanting to mess around with the song Witness by Sarah McLachlan, which is in F#m. I've always thought that the guitar solo would sound great as done by a harp.

Am I understanding the harp selector tool (https://www.bluesharmonica.com/sites/bluesharmonica.com/files/1a_-_harmo...) correctly that my E harp should work if I play in second position (F#m is the relative minor of A major)? 

Kinya: Thanks so much for posting your new recording. Really, really well done!

Hello Everyone! I wanted to thank you all for your continued interested in our work here, especially the new HARPSMITH Bench feature. The response has been wonderful.

Please enjoy my recording

https://soundcloud.com/user-678833265/off-the-ground_43022?utm_source=cl...

https://www.bluesharmonica.com/share/recordings/ground

Your HARPSMITH, Kinya

I received today my new G Rocket, that I could compare to my current G Special 20.

I was surprised that bending is different, and easier to get with good tone on the Special 20 without playing louder (a very recently acquired ability!).

Holes 4 and 6 are very similar.

Hole 2 bends to the same pitch, but weaker and with hissing, as if most of the air was failing at moving the reed (2 draw without bending is fine).

Hole 3 is worse. If I dip it the same way as for the Special 20, it fails. Without dipping, 3' is harder to find, and 3'' sounds raucous. continue reading...

Hello Kinya,

I need your wisdom yet once again.

I have decided to set up a harp for myself that would help me gradualy learn the OB OD techniques.

Since on that site there are some lessons available for a Bb harp I have decided to start with that.

Following all that I have learnt I have purchased a brand new special 20 and attempted on it the following customisations.

*Replaced the comb with a BMH corian one.

*flat sanded the blow plate and straightened the draw plate as best as i can. continue reading...

Chromatic Harmonica afficinados rejoice! Here on Episode 8, HARPSMITH Bench takes a deep dive into teaching solid techniques for tuning reeds and installing windsavers on the Chromatic Harmonica.

https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harpsmith_bench

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

Hi, I have tried a Fender Deluxe for a cheap Bb harmonica. And I cannot control the 3 draw bend, which goes very quickly to the bottom 1 1/2 step bend (3'''). One one hand I am still working on learning to bend, and hole 3 is still quite unstable... but with the "surrounding" keys A and C, I am able to explore the whole bending range, and 3''' is not the easiest. Why so different for Bb? continue reading...

Hello Everyone, come join me for Episode 7 of HARPSMITH Bench, "High Performance Reed and Reed Slot Treatment" 

For many of you, these videos will be never-before-seen close up of the techniques required to super charge your Diatonic and Chromatic harmonicas. 

https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harpsmith_bench (Episode 7, Parts 1&2)

After you had an opportunity to try out these reed and reed slot treatments, let me and the readers learn about your experiences.

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

Happy New Years Everyone! Episode 6 HARPSMITH Bench is now available for viewing. You will learn how to convert a Melody Maker (and Country Tuned) harmonica into a blues Richter tuned harmonica. It's super inexpensive and easy to do!

https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harpsmith_bench

Your Harpsmith, Kinya