Ask Harp Tech Expert Kinya Pollard

Hello !

My 4 blow on my A harp is at 445, and a few other notes are around +5 as well. Is that too much out of tune ?

REGULAR READERS will know that I love your feedback and regulary ask you to drop us a line. Our shared passion for the Harmonica bonds us and your enthusiasm motivates us!

Your HARPSMITH, Kinya

Hello,

On my low F Rocket, before recording myself I had not realized that hole 1 was much louder than the others. When playing a chord or an octave, the result is unbalanced in favor of hole 1.

If it was only together with 2 or 3 draw, I would suspect I still have progress to make in enhancing those tones, but it also happens in octave with hole 4 or in blowing.

I like the sound of hole 1. I just wonder if it being louder is usual for a low F? On David's recording for "Sonny's bird", for example, I don't hear this.

Éric

Hi Kinya,

I just started playing a (expensive) chromatic and am cautious about regular care of the instrument.  Should I tap this harp on my palm/leg routinely to clear moisture like I would with a diatonic?

Also, can I use the alcohol based mouthpiece cleaner spray like you have recommended for the diatonic?

Thanks,

Julian

Hi Kinya,

I read somewhere that the link between ASD and Spotify does not work any longer. Not sure who/what made this happen. It is indeed a great application.

If so have you heard of any recommendations for the latest Apps?

NOTE: I made a previous posting in error and would like to erase this posting but have not worked out how I can do that yet. My Apologies.

Thanks as always.

Hello Harp Techs,

Recently I began unpacking my inventory of HOHNER factory replacement reeds and was pleasantly shocked to see there was a major upgrade. The reeds appeared dramatically different from those of the past--so much so I thought HOHNER had changed their recipe, possibly to Phosphor Bronze (pioneered by Suzuki). continue reading...

I know for sure that I can't play any Nickel plated harmonica mouthpiece.

But I recently start to feel that my slide on my 270 deluxe starts to peel off the chrome or whatever it is that cover the brass. And I get the same symptoms.

I'm wondering if the chrome plated of the slide, rail or blank have nickel. 

Also, is there any chromatic free of nickel? Maybe cx12 but I'm not sure if the slide is brass with nickel or chrome plated ( Wich sometimes they use nickel for chrome plating). Or is the CX12 slide made of stainless steel?

I was able to find an old post on how to gap reeds for easier bending (especially the 3 draw) and it was VERY helpful.  Thanks!  Is there a post that can assist with gapping for overblows, or perhaps you could post or repost that info.  I'm particularly interested in making it easier to do my first successful overblow on the 6 blow.

Ooops.  I just saw your studies in the Tech section (I am returning to BluesHarmonica.com after being gone a good while) and I'll study them and maybe come back with any questions.

Hi!

Despite opening up the harp to clean, free up any debris, and plink the reeds I've had no luck (this is pretty much the limit of my current harp tech abilities...which up until now has been just enough). This is a newish harp that has played great up until right now. Seemingly still in great shape. The Blow 1 will not sound at all if I go directly after the note.  Here and there it will sound if I draw first and then blow (not every time). 

Thoughts?

SJ 

Hello Harmonica Players, have you ever been on the bandstand with stage noise so loud, you absolutely could not hear a damn thing you were playing?

WHY IT MATTERS

• Not being able to clearly hear what you are playing is akin to flying blind

• In these situations, our performance suffers--we tend to crash and burn

• Playing under our capabilities makes us feel like CRAP continue reading...