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Forums :: General Discussion

Adjusting Reeds for Better Easier/Playablity for TB Bending

3 replies [Last post]
Sun, 02/07/2010 - 07:22
Harmonica Hank
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Joined: 12/19/2009

Hello Everyone,

I am looking for a book or video that can explain to me how to adjust reeds for easier bending. Does anyone know where I can obtain this information?

As I am learning to tongue block, I am also finding it harder to bend hole #3 and bending higher key harps, which lip pursed bending was easier.

Regards
Harmonica Hank

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Sun, 02/07/2010 - 10:12
#1
528hemi
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Joined: 12/19/2009
I was just wondering the same

I was just wondering the same if closer gapping helps with TB bending or should not make much of a differrence
if the technique is there. I gap my own harps to puckering but was just going to close some gaps down and see if that helps with TB bending.

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Sun, 02/07/2010 - 12:31
#2
David Barrett
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ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Answer

How the harp is set up has nothing to do with which embouchure you use o to play it. It does make a difference for overbend players. Anyone can benefit from a harp that's set up well. Richard Sleigh has a great book on the subject. I plan on having videos for this on the site, but it will be a while.

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Sun, 02/07/2010 - 12:41
#3
hank stefaniak
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Teacher 6Level 9
Joined: 12/20/2009
Richard Sleigh's book is

Richard Sleigh's book is excellent for this. So is Rupert Oysler's video "Harmonica Repair and Modification" ANd from my experience, gapping makes a big difference to bending and the amount of air it takes to draw/blow and the tone you get. Lots of YouTube stuff out there as well and it's not difficult to do at a basic level. If nothing else, it gets me opening up the harp and seeing if it needs cleaning!!

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