Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Any picture on how to set up cleartune tuner for harmonica?

Specially for marine band harmonica that has comporomised tunning what temperament should I choose?

Kinya,

When I was first starting at BluesHarmonica.com I favored very responsive harps that made it easier to learn to bend.  But now that I've been at it for a while I'm nore focused on trying to play the 2 and 3 draw bends accurately.  Using the Harp Ninja app I can see that some of my most repsonsive harps are the most difficult to play consistently in tune. Is this me, the harp or both?

Thanks,

Dan

I got a harp the other day with a strange tuning. It's stamped E and Moll on the coverplate and reed plates. As near as I can figure out it is an E harmonic minor. G#s tuned to G. C#s tuned to C. Am I close on this. The tuning is too close to being on pitch to be random. Also it is in tune with itself. If that makes sense. "Moll" must be a German Key notation.

I'm a sucker for strange stuff.

thanks......Mike

It would play well at the Mos Eisley Cantina. ;)

From a Revlon Stainless Steel Nail Groomer, to a reed adjustment tool.

Hello Harp Techs, recently MX gave us all--on this Forum, an excellent description of reed metallurgy. This prompted me to reprint Rick's paper. Enjoy!

Rick Epping retired from Hohner USA in 2005, but his research and body of work continues to serve the harmonica community. Reprinted here is Rick Epping's paper on "REED LONGEVITY; from ELASTIC to PLASTIC": continue reading...

Happy Holidays to our new and returning members!

I can think of nothing more satisfying than to have all of you watch the complete set of Harp Tech Study Series: continue reading...

Hi Kinya, I been directed to ask you how to use the ultrasonic cleaning machines on Marine Band harmonicas.  Can you help me out?

Hi,

I wonder if you can help me.

New marine band (C), new player, 20 minutes, draw 5 doesn't work anymore?

Can it be broken? Is it stuck? Is there anything I can do?

Thanks,

Is there any downside from tuning the bottom of the blow reeds like when you use a draw scraper through the hole or an Einstien tuning table. Obviously it's hard to look at the reeds like that but if you're having reed problems you probably wouldn't tune like that anyway.

2nd question and an observation. I bought several cheap MB 1896 <$5 to practice with a Sleigh Burnishing tool. I've noticed all had a 3 draw problem most had a 2 draw problem some 1&4 draw problems. All had gap problems most too wide. Differnt shapes and curves.  continue reading...

Hi Kinya! continue reading...