Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Hello Harp Techs,

OK, most of the moves I make here at Harpsmith Central are downright brilliant ;o) When I blow it though, I REALLY blow it! Here’s my recent bone head moment.

Serious chromatic harmonica players know that to have an optimum playing experience, with the least amount of condensation drenched wind saver issues, preheat the harmonica to at least 15c/60oF before playing. continue reading...

Hello Harp Techs,

Machine screws used in harmonica construction and repairs are small, such as 0-90, 0-80. Especially difficult to hold between our chubby fingers, while driving them in place with a screwdriver. I found three screw starters, all available from www.micromark.com that proved invaluable on my bench:

Screw Holding Tweezer, Quick Wedge Screw Starter, and the Wiha Magnetizer/Demagnetizer: continue reading...

Hello Kinya,

I have a few harmonicas, and in a few of them, in hold 2, 3 6, 7  (some blowing, some drawing) I only get sound when I blow hard...

Let's say I make a normal blow, nothing happens... but if I keep adding air preassure, theres a momet that the reed starts vibrating normally, in good tunning... right the way, I blow again and it seems to be normal... But soon, the same thing happens again...

I can't find anything blocking the reeds...

It just feels like the reed is tired...

What am I missing?

Thank you!

Hi Kinya, 

Hope you’ve been having a good holiday season. 

I have a bit of an unusual problem: Awhile ago I bought a leather harp case that was tanned/treated improperly and the chemicals used to treat the leather leached into 6 or 7 of my harps.  The effect this had was that I couldn’t play the harps at all without my tongue and lips immediately experiencing a pretty severe burning sensation. Obviously No Bueno. I tried multiple times clean the harps using a variety of methods, to no avail.  continue reading...

Hello Harp Techs,

Readers know I am a fan of swapping vented cover plates (think Hohner Marine Band) with non-vented cover plates (think Hohner Special 20, or Rocket Amp) to alter the playing experience for the player.

With exception of the Hohner Silver Concerto, I found no other vented (i.e. vents or holes) chromatic harmonica cover plates. continue reading...

Hello Harp Techs,

To update my earlier posting featuring the 50 bendable note harmonica, https://www.bluesharmonica.com/imagine_having_access_50_bendable_notes, I just received this update from from our friend and Chief Nutty Professor, Brendan Power: continue reading...

Hi Kinya;

 I have yet to purchase my first chromatic, but I have found some interesting websites. You are probably aware of them but here goes:

jonkip.com  ("Jon Kip -chromatic harmonica owner")

This one has a links page to HarpOn, a really good site. This is the only way I found to get to HarpOn, as there was no specific harpon URL.

He also has a link to slidemeister.org which I'm sure your familiar with, as well as to Winslow's website. continue reading...

The 5 draw on my Hohner Special 20 went very flat overnight.  i played it one day and it was fine, picked it up the next day and the 5 draw was so flat it is matching the 5 blow.

I took the covers and reed plates off but did not see anythng obvious.

What do think?

Thanks

I had two Special 20's with rattling/catching reeds.

I checked the reeds center-ness, and slot size, but could not find anything obvious.

Fixed both harmonicas by loosening the bolts a little - 1/16 turns out.

Strange, huh?

Hello Harp Techs,

For many first time chromatic harmonica players, navigating around “too many” holes, and negotiating a slider button, can be downright scary. Which note goes where?!

My advice is to simplify. Just like many musicians, when learning to play a favorite lick off a recording,  use apps such as Amazing Slow Down--to slow down a particular lick (without altering the song key), we can temporarily reduce the number of holes on the chromatic harmonica. continue reading...