2 Hole Draw
Fri, 01/21/2011 - 11:39
Hi Kinya,
I'm from Brazil, so i'll start apologizing for some writing errors that might happen.
I'm having some problems setting the 2 hole draw gap, either open or closed, i hear a lot of air when i draw, the only thing that changes is the strength needed to make the reed work.
It's recommended to apply the embossing, or any technique on the draw reeds to had a better response?
Thanks, and again sorry for my poor english
Hello and Welcome,
Ah, the nasty two hole draw reed ...
Eight out of ten times, the issue is not with the harmonica, but with the player's tongue. To verify, have a mirror in front of you. Open your month and examine the position of the top middle portion of your tongue. For most of us, our "neutral" tongue position is slightly humped up in the middle. If this is the case for you, then you are creating a constricted air passage and unintentionally commanding the reeds to "bend".
My recommendation is too flatten your tongue to the bottom of your mouth, by dropping your jaw. If you are having difficulty with this, try calling out, "AHH AHH AHH". If you are still having difficulty, use a tongue depressor or small spoon--don't choke ;o) Once you have mastered this, bring the harmonica to your mouth and draw on the 2 reed. If done properly, this note should now sound almost identical to your 3 blow reed--which is the same pitch on Richter tuned harmonicas.
Please report to me your progress.
~Kinya