Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Hi Kinya,

I have two C harps (Sp20). One is very easy to tongue block blow bend the 10 blow. The other is very difficult. What reed characteristics make one easy and the other difficult? What do I need to change on the difficult reed?

Thanks, Pete

Hi, Kinya!
My Special 20 in A gives me some trouble. I noticed that while playing the learning songs from the site with the provided jam tracks the harmonica sounds way out of tuning at some parts of the track. My little investigation showed that blows 1 through 4 are the problematic holes. For example 4 blow is 449-440 Hz according to phone's tuner.
3 blow sounds awfully out of tune as well, no matter how strong or soft it's blown. continue reading...

Hi Kinya, continue reading...

Wow! What a great teacher you are!

Very nice intro with Studies 1. I can't wait to see the rest.

So I have to ask...

Are you any good at chess? I need a better teacher.

Hi Kinya - just read your article on the Tuning Table and commented:

Hey Kinya - great article!! I ordered and received my tuning table and it is a joy to use for sure. A question that keeps coming up in my head is the gapping thing. Is there some sort of "rule of thumb" for gapping sizes or is it a matter of blow/draw and adjust to your style of playing? I see everyone talk about having a set of 'spark plug gappers' (.002 - .02) - is this to adjust the gap size with??

Thanks for any info on this. continue reading...

today I had the chance to a-b the hohner marineband crossover and the suzuki manji.

They were both in the key of a.
What I found was that the crossover was much more lighter to bend then the suzuki manji.
I also found that the manji was a bit leaky when I bent it.

I gapped them both pretty much the same way.

Is there really a difference between them, or is it just me? (considering my technique)

I understand that I should calibrate to A442 instead of A440 but any idea how that is done on the Conn Strobo Tuner? I just got one and read the manual and it only mentioned A440 the CAL function seems to be mainly to calibrate the CENTS knob for zero before you begin. My Korg CA-30 has a simple up/down adjustment, am I missing something I'm kind fo new to tuning my harps.

Thanks!

When setting the profile of your reed (gaping), use your thumb nail as a "break" (sheet metal term). Position your thumb nail across the first 20% of the reed length (rivet end), gently lift the free end of the reed with your plinking tool. Take it slow at first, you'll be surprised at how well this works--you do not want to turn your reeds into miniature ski jump ramps!
~Kinya

I rinsed my crossover under the tab to get the gunk out, and now the comb seems swollen. Steve Baker had told me he rinsed his crossovers also underneath the tab and that the bamboo comb wouldn't swell. What did I do wrong? Or was Steve just putting me on?
.

Kinya,

I just watched the Interview with Tuning Table Inventor Rick Trankle. He mentioned online tuners so I went to the Seventh String Tuner web site ('cause it's free).

The online tuner gives me the correct note, however when I play a sustained note that should be at zero cents (440.0), the cents meter swings back and forth between 2 and 7 cents with "Hum cancellation" unchecked and between 5 and 8 with "Hum cancellation" checked. Also it registers about 20 cents too high. continue reading...