Warming the Harp
HI I have a Hohner CX 12 ,what is the best way to warm it up before playing ,I place it on my computer and this seems ok but the CX 12 has a big metal bar at the back that gets cold ,would a heating pad that you heat in a microwave be ok.
Thanks Ron
The heating pads I mentioned are sold as gel hand warmers. They work by starting a chemical reaction by flexing them. Some types are disposable while others are re-usable if you boil them for 10 minutes, which somehow re-sets them.
Check Google or Amazon with the phrase gel hand warmers and you should find something suitable.
Thank you Winslow for getting back on this one,I have taken a lot more care with warming the harp up before I play and making sure the room I play in is not to cold ,I have had no problems this week but will have a look at the hand warmers.
Ron
Warming chromatics before playing really helps avoid valve problems. What's important is not the metal spring along the back, as it has no direct effect on the valves. But getting the reedplates and air inside the chambers warm is worthwhile.
As to a way of warming the harp, as long as it's not hot enough to melt anything or to curl the valves - or give off noxious fumes - then it's probably OK. I know a woman who uses chemically activated heating pads made for hand warming; let me see if I can find out more about this. You can also use an electric heating pad set to a low temperature.