Stuck reed?

Hello Tom, welcome to the whacky and wonderfully addictive world of harmonicas!

You are not alone, this is the #1 issue with players new to the diatonic harmonica--especially the G and A harmonicas. There are numerous reasons for this:

1. The lower octave reeds are longer and "weighted' more than other harmonica keys, like Bb, C, D, Eb, E, F. This creates challenges for the new player's embouchure
2. Did you watch David's lesson where he mentions, that when learning to play the diatonic harmonica "our tongue can be all things good and all things BAD" for the beginner player
3. The natural notes (non bent) that exist on our harmonicas are designed to sound their fullest when our tongue is positioned as flat as possible to the bottom of your mouth--especially #1 and #2 draw reeds
4. The issue for new players is that the "neutral" at-rest position of our tongue is humped up in the middle towards the upper pallet (see for yourself using your mirror)
5. I recently read Winslow's reality check for locating the position of your tongue, that may help you as well; (a) put your harmonica down for the moment, inhale a convincing amount of air, then exhale through your mouth. Repeat. (b) Listen carefully, I'm going to bet you can hear the air exiting your mouth, "hhhhhh" (haaaaah)
6. This is a natural occurance with your tongue attempting to phonetically shape the escape of air into an utterance (speech). Have you ever pinched the nozel of a ballon as it exhausts air, shaping the sounds by changing the embouchure of the ballon stem?
7. The challenge for you is to flatten your tongue-as much as possible-to the bottom of your mouth and repeat step 5. The goal is become like a Ninja, and make your exhalation almost inperceptible (while keeping the exhale air pressure the same). I recommend you record yourself through your progress--like biofeedback
8. The moment you are sucessful at this practice, replace the harmonica into your mouth and hear how your #2 draw now sounds as rich and pure as your #3 blow note.

Now if that doesn't work, we will move onto the next step...

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

Alright Tom, I see you've done your due dilegence so now it is my turn. 

My hunch is your #2 draw reed is either too low into the reed slot for air to pass through the tip and sides of the reed, or the reed has come in direct contact with the reed plate slot. Let's try this;

1. I'm guessing you do not own a Pozi driver. If that's the case, you will need a small Jewelers Philips tip screwdriver
2. Remove the cover plate fasteners (binding posts) and place those fasteners, along with the Top and Bottom cover plates in a safe place
3. Position the harmonica on it's blow reed side onto a clean work surface. The Draw reed plate side should be facing you
4. Look carefully at the gap on the free end of the #2 reed. Is the space between the bottom of the reed and the top surface of your reed plate the same as neighboring #1 reed? If yes, then with a super flat tool, like a razor blade or utility knife blade, lift the free end of the reed with the blade about 3/8" past the reed plate--then release. This is known as plinking the reed
5. If it sounds like "thud", then either there is a piece of debris lodged between the reed and reed plate, or the reed has turned on it's rivet and the front part of the reed is touching the reed plate as it attempts to vibrate

Let me know when you get this far.

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

Hi Tom, I hear your trepidation-I understand. It's sort of like me asking you to operate on your beloved Puppy ;o)

Before we dive in, have you had an opportunity to view any of the Harp Tech Series David and I added to this web site?

1. https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harp_tech_studies_1
2. https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harp_tech_studies_2
3. https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harp_tech_studies_3
4. https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harp_tech_study_4_reed_gapping
5. https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harp_tech_study_5_reed_replacement
6. https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harp_tech_study_6_reed_sizing
7. https://www.bluesharmonica.com/harp_tech_study_7_sj%C3%B6berg_harp_tuner

If time permits, I think taking a peek at the first 4, will ease your nerves. It has for many members of bluesharmonica.com

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

Then, let's get to work!

1. Hohner uses the POZI type fasteners, meaning POZI screwdrivers will work best. If you do not have the POZI, a small Philips head Jewelers type of screwdriver will get the job done.
2. Remove cover plates
3. Position the harmonica so that the mouthpiece faces you. With a Sharpie, write onto the top reedplate, nearest to the mouthpiece edge; "TOP". Next flip the harmonica over so the mouthpiece faces away from you. With a Sharpie, write onto the bottom reedplate; "BOTTOM"
4. Once again, flip the harmonica over so that the mouthpiece faces you. Remove all six (6) reed plate fasteners and store in a safe place
5. Because your issue appears to be the #2 Draw reed, separate this Draw reed plate from the comb
6. Using eye magnification, hold up your reed plate-with the reeds and rivets facing you-to a light source (some sort of light box works best) and look closely at reed #2. You want to see an even sliver of light peering from the sides and tip of the reed. Tom, what did you see?

There is a really good close-up shot of the sliver of light surround the reed:  https://www.bluesharmonica.com/pinstripe_embossing

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

Hi Tom, hang in there.

If your pretty savy with taking close-up photos, could you please send us photos of the following views:

1. free end of the #2 draw reed. I would like to see the gap
2. reed positioned over your iPad light source, so I too can see the sliver of light surrounding draw reed #2
3. Tip: keep in mind many people have a "master eye" not necessarly corrected with glasses. One eye could be stronger than the other, thereby skewing your view. You may think you are looking dead center, but...
4. Holding the draw reed plate in your hand, then "plinking" the reed convincingly-does it not resonate a tone?

Regarding your classic Marine Band 1896, contact master collector Harland Crain at Harmonica Collectors International and/or Harley and his harps, you can send him an email at hcrain@harleysharps.com

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

Hi Tom, photo #3 was perfect.

Yes, I am siding with your assessment that the #2 draw gap is a tad too high.

1. Press down on the rivet end of the reed and watch the tip of the reed drop down 
2. Plink the reed a few times
3. Did the #2 keep it's new gap, or did it return to the way it was?
4. If so, repeat the process until the #2 gap matches closer to the #1 reed

Did I ask you whether or not you can blow the #3 reed? I'm asking because it's the same reed. Let me know

Your Harpsmith, Kinya