Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Hi Kinya,

I realy enjoyed your video tutorials on tuning!

I checked my favorita A harp (Marine Band Deluxe) the other day and was very surprised that I had to calibrate my korg CA30 tuner up to 446 hertz to get the "needle" in the center position on the 1 and 4 hole blow. Than I checked some other Hohner models in A and they were exactly the same although I found numerous places on the internet where it says that Hohner uses a base pitch of 442 hertz. What could be the case here?

Best

Twiggy

I bought a Manji and noticed that the 1/2 step and full step bend are very hard if not impossible to get.  the Step and a half bend is fine.  Could this be a gapping issue?  I can bend and have been playing for several years so bending should not be the trouble. 

Thank you

Hi Kinya,

I have a few questions related to reed type charateristics and tuning.

What reed metal type is less prone to fatigue/ change in pitch post tuning?

What difference does the metal type make to overtones?

Do you have and any specific technique/tips with regards to tuning to encourage stability in the tuning? continue reading...

Hi Kinya,

I have a fairly new Seydel Session Steel that I'm really enjoying but while working my 3 draw bends slowly down and up, I'm often getting a slight squealing on the release of the bend. Is this a common problem and is there a simple fix?

Thank you,

Hugh

Kinya, continue reading...

Hi Kinya,

Is RO okay in the ultrasonic with the recommended cleaning solution or is distilled best?

Thanks,

Hugh

Hi Kinya,

Does putting the harp into the ultrasonic cleaner with the plates on get it just as clean as taking it apart beforehand? If all the junk gets cleared away from the inside of the harp can't it just resettle there? I ask because I see you use a brush for further cleaning after putting them in unassembled.

Thanks,

Hugh

Hi Kinya! As Divid suggested, I turn to you. Could you have a listen at these two snippets, and advise whether that weird sound (kinda rattle) from my 2 draw bending on a D harp is the effect of bad technique or a reed problem? I only started to use the D harp a week ago, so it could be I haven't adjusted my mouth accordingly yet. Thank you.

https://soundcloud.com/stefieblue/reed-problem-1 continue reading...

hi kinya.  thanks for the great videos on gapping.  they've helped a lot but i still have an issue with the 2 hole draw.  i have an A harp, special 20.  with my tongue in the normal relaxed position, laying flat (not humped up to bend) i get no sound.  i do the same thing on my C harp and it sounds fine (or the 1 draw and 3 draw on my A harp). continue reading...

I watched your reed replacement videos and took notes of the tools and size of screws etc but I didn't get the drill sizes if they were mentioned. What size is the pilot hole for the .80 tap?  And what size is the reed hole drill for the .80 screw?

Thanks.