Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Kinya,

I'm 47 years old now and playing seriously after not playing for more than 20 years.  I have about 25 old harps from back then that are that old.  I notice when I try to play these they don't play well at all.  They're not responsive and take a lot of air to get started.  They're difficult to bend also.

Do they deteriorate with time?  Can I re-gap these and essentially have new instruments?  Should I keep them for donor reeds, or are the reeds shot at this point?

Thank you.

Kinya,

Playing about a one-year old Marine Band Crossover in the key of A last night and the 5 draw was choking on me.  I noticed it was flat as well.  On the Cleartune app on my Droid, it was reading less than half way between C# and D.  I attempted to tune it, based on what I learned from your videos on this site, scratching metal away from the free end of the 5 draw read.  It actually seems to be getting flatter though.

Is that far out just too much to tune?  Is this reed on its way out?

My education is in engineering, and I've never been able to figure out a couple things.  First, why don't both reeds produce a sound when blowing and drawing?  And second, I'm kind of confused on the blow and draw reeds.  The blow and draw reeds sit closer to the higher pressure.  ie, the blow reeds sit below the reed plate, and the draw reeds sit above the reed plate.  When blowing, wouldn't the air just take the path of least resistance, and just move the draw reed slightly and leek out from there? continue reading...

Hi Kinya,

Please confirm if I have correctly interpreted the following:

               Harpsmith  =  Cleartune App (Android)

                     12 TET =  Equal Temperament 

       Compromised Just =  Amost Equal (under Well-Tempered)

           Just Intonation  =  Standard Just (under Pythagorean/Just)

Cheers Julian

Hello Kinya,

Would it be possible to know what sizes of the polishing superstones you are using?

I am looking at this website and I am not sure what would be the best size to get. I’m guessing .4 to .6?

http://www.gesswein.com/p-3129-new-superstone-ceramic-stones.aspx?cpagen...

I should be receiving my masterharp tuner very soon :)

Cheers!

Sath

I have had a couple of situations where the screws holding the mouth plates on my Crossover keep loosening. Is this common?

Hello Kinya,

I am planning on attending the San Jose MASTER Class in April '14 and I see you want those taking the

Harmonica Workbench class to bring a Hohner Service set, set of feeler gaugues, magnification etc.

I don't have currently any of those..but I definitely want to get them all, to allow me to work on my

harmonicas.  I mainly play Hohner Special 20's and Crossovers.  Are you selling those accessories at the

workshop or do I buy from Hohner or available somewhere else?  Are they available any cheaper than at the HOHNER website?? continue reading...

I remember back in the 70’s hearing the distinct “thump-thump-thump” sounds come up through the floor of our practice room located over the kitchen of of my buddy’s parent’s house. continue reading...

Hi Kinya...I have been watching your videos about the Sjoberg Harp Tuner.  I am very intrigued.  Do you know if this is available for purchase?  Is it still undergoing development?  There is not much information on masterharp.com.

Homer.

Kinya, can you tell me if I can put a Crossover harp in an ultrasonic cleaner?  I am a beginner and just not sure of this one.

Thanks!!