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Forums :: Gear

Begginer with a Hohner Golden Melody, i am afraid of ''breaking'' it

3 replies [Last post]
Sat, 02/04/2012 - 16:13
Isantiago
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Joined: 02/04/2012

Good day to everyone, my name is Santiago, i just bought a hohner golden melody and i love how it sounds, also i am a beginner and i am afraid of ''breaking'' it for not doing a good job while i play, i have heard that it can happen if u don't make good bends and things like that, and right now i am afraid of even touching it since i cant afford buying harmonicas every month.

I know that the harmonicas don't have a long life as many other instruments, but you know what i mean, i don't want to buy a new harmonica every 1 or 2 months.

So i need advices because i want a long-term harmonica.

Is it really easy to break the harmonica just for not doing good bends?
How long can a harmonica last?

Thanks to everyone.

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Sun, 02/05/2012 - 03:42
#1
Dave Hall
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Joined: 05/08/2010
Hi Santiago, I would say

Hi Santiago,

I would say just play it. Not playing it in order to extend its life is much the same as having a broken harp.

Seriously, just dont play louder than you need to and it will last plenty long...(depending on how much you play, how much of the harp you use when you play...because obviously if you spend an hour a day wailing on 4 draw it is different to an hour a day playing scales and arpeggios and songs along the whole of the harp for instance)...the more aggressively and loudly you play, the shorter the life of the harp...

David talks about this somewhere here on the site. maybe its in the FAQs?
Edit: yes it is. see the clip "my harps blow out so fast" under the Equipment section of the FAQs

Cheers, Dave

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Sun, 02/05/2012 - 20:52
#2
hank stefaniak
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Teacher 6Level 9
Joined: 12/20/2009
Yup

Yup, what Dave said. don't force it, enjoy it and watch David's videos. And If in doubt, don't be afraid to ask.

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Tue, 02/07/2012 - 12:38
#3
bob freeze
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Joined: 01/03/2010
The thing that gets me into

The thing that gets me into trouble is more often than not moisture. Make sure you tap out the harp after playing, or frequently if playing for a long time. I still have a hard time not getting excited while playing - this can lead to playing "harder" than necessary and shortening the life of the harp - I have lots of them to prove it.

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