Gapping issue
Tue, 03/10/2015 - 19:32
Hi Kinya,
I have a 3 draw that is choking. I watched your videos and gapped the 3 and (both draw and blow) and all of a sudden i had issues with the 1,2,3 and 4? so i worked on gapping them all and got everything playing better than before! why would that happen?
next issue: with holding the harp together with finger pressure and it playing better then ever i then screwed it back together and the choking issue is back (not always but especially when slapping a 3 draw dip) when not choked it lags before the note sounds. is this because the harp is air tight when screwed down vs. finger pressure thus needing a wider gap?
I am playing a Crossover in G.
What should i do?
Thanks,
Mark
Hi Mark, good to hear from you.
Q: I worked on gapping them all and got everything playing better than before! Why would that happen?
A: As players, hallmark of to our improvement, we'll find that it requires less physical effort to play the harmonica. Adjusting the gapping of your reeds reduces the tolerances (opening) around the swinging reed and stationary reed plate. Imagine blowing up a beach ball with a hole in it--WHEW, that's exhausting!
Gapping our harmonica reeds is akin to patching the hole in a beach ball. This process customizes (matches) your "efficient" playing style (embouchure, air pressure, etc.), then "makes" your harmonica more responsive (bending) with improved tone and volume. That's a good thing ;o)
Q: ... screwing harmonica vs. clamping with fingers (during maintenance).
A1: Choking and click clacking is very common, with "exagerated" embossing of the reed plate slot. What occurs is the tolerance becomes so minimal, torquing down the reed plates onto the comb will bow (like a smiley face) and push the sides of the reed plate slots inward and catch on the swinging reed.
A2: If you did not emboss, and the reed still catches, then you accidently moved the reed on it's axis (rivet) and the free end of the reed is touching the reed plate. Hold your reed plate up to the light, and site the reed as you gently push/release it into the slot. Use your reed wrench on the rivet pad, or insert a shim into the slot and "lever" the reed back to center.
A3: And finally, try raising the gap of the reed (s) closer to the original out-of-the-box settings. REMEMBER: when you adjust a reed in a particular hole, be mindful of adjusting both reeds (blow and draw reeds are cojoined twins ;o)
Your Harpsmith, Kinya