Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

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...

Hello Harp Techs, continue reading...

I have the Hohner Special 20 harmonicas. I am now running into my second harmonica where I have lost the sound from a given note. My A harmonica will not give me my draw notes at position 3. Its not saliva that has caused this. What would you recommend I do to try to fix this, short of buying a new harmonica.

Hi Kinya, The  blow 3 (G) and blow 4 (C) on my CX!2 have been sticking. I have soaked the harmonica and changed the wind savers over those hole various times and I cannot fixe it. In Spain I can not find anyone who works on harmonicas. Since the CX12 seems fairly air tight I just took those wind savers off.. and it plays pretty well. Could I just take all the wind savers off or would the instrument not play? Any ideas would be great. Thanks

Kinya, I’m curious...

From time to time I entertain the idea of dressing up my harps with some of the cool-looking combs out there like the acrylics from Blue Moon. I really like the sound of my Seydels, though, with the maple combs, and my Crossovers with bamboo, and Special 20s with plastic. I hear people all the time claiming that comb material has a distinct impact on sound, with some saying the Marine Band has a warmer sound due to its pear wood comb, and the Special 20s being darker due to the plastic comb. 

Is it really as simple as that? continue reading...

Hello Kinya,

Could you explain the differences between: Major, Natural Minor and Harmonic Minor harmonica please.

Thank you. continue reading...