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Temperment for Marine Band

4 replies [Last post]
Fri, 04/18/2025 - 02:17
bordercollie
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Hi Kinya

I recently purchased HarpNinja for desktop.

On checking I found that my Marine band crossovers were indicating that they were not tuned to TET. I got slightly different results from Harpninja to my Korg CA-40. I have read different opinions: Some say there are tuned to Compromised just and some say TET. I would like to know which is correct before I start trying some re-tuning. 

This is probably not the correct forum but do you know if the Korg or harp ninja gives a truer reading?

I don't play in a hard way. Do harmonicas go out of tune frequently and will I need retune from time to time?

Best wishes

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Fri, 04/18/2025 - 19:10
#1
Harp Tech Kinya...
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Hello Border Collie, good to

Hello Border Collie, good to hear from you.

You and Korg are correct. The Hohner Crossover is supposed to be tuned to Compromised Just Temperarment--not 12 TET (re: Golden Melody).

Things to remember:

  • set your Chromatic Tuner to 442Hz
  • if you are new to tuning harmonicas, I recommend using the same embouchure that you perform with (e.g. lip blocking/pucker, vs tongue blocking)
  • the breath for the BLOW reeds is positive and humid. This means the reeds will quickly be loaded with the weight of condensation, aspiration and saliva--giving you a distorted (flat) reading. On my bench I used compressed air to remove moisture and restore the reeds to room temperature, before every tuning event. The very least, I recommend use lint-free swabs to soak up the moisture. After three attempts with your tuning tools (draw scrapper, file, sanding stick, etc.), give it a rest. BLOW reeds are extremely fussy.
  • the breath for the DRAW reeds is negative--as you are drawing in room temperature air. DRAW reeds are waaay easier to tune than it's BLOW reed cousin

Your HARPSMITH, Kinya

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Sun, 04/20/2025 - 03:23
#2
bordercollie
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Temperament

Hi

Thanks for that. I have a harmonica tuner that I bought a long time ago but have never used. I will use this along with the Korg tuner. I have watched your videos on tuning so hopefully if I take is easily I can get my harmonicas back to compromised just tuning.

Best wishes

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Sun, 04/20/2025 - 03:23
#3
bordercollie
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Temperament

Hi

Thanks for that. I have a harmonica tuner that I bought a long time ago but have never used. I will use this along with the Korg tuner. I have watched your videos on tuning so hopefully if I take is easily I can get my harmonicas back to compromised just tuning.

Best wishes

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Sun, 04/20/2025 - 16:51
#4
Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture
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Be patient and stick to the

Be patient and stick to the process. You'll be fine.

Your HARPSMITH, Kinya

... but if you are not fine, let me know

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