I'm curious to know if you guys (and/or gals) practice when you have a cold, flu, hangover, etc.
Since my daughter started Kindergarten this year, I can't go more than a few weeks without catching a cold. I've been leery of blowing germs/phlegm into my harp, because I don't know how to disinfect or clean it!
Thanks for the advice...That's what I was hoping to hear from someone! Besides, after the cold and flu season, my springtime allergies kick in...I could have missed some valuable practice time.
Plus, it's not like I'm sharing my harmonica with anyone!
Playing will make you feel better even if you are not. If you are using a modern harp then you can easily clean it by washing it in dishwashing detergent. Probably best to take it apart first but cleaning harps is something that we should all do. Doesn't work with the wooden harps designed last century!
Ive got two littlies that go to child care a bit, and pick up every bug and bring it back home to the family....all winter we were sick!!! At the time I was wondering the exact same thing as you, but I kept playing, I couldnt stop if I wanted too!!
My theory went along the lines of once you have the cold/flu, and you shake it you cant get it back again because you build up resistance to that strain. I did usually play sp20's when I was crook, as I thought the bugs could hide in the marine band combs better than the plastic.
I aint no doctor and I mainly just talked myself into those theories, probably depends if its a cold, flu, virus, etc, I've got no idea really.
Now that summer is here, the diseases have left for the time being, and everyone is well.
not beinga doctor myself i have no idea about re-infecting oneself via a harp. many times over the years i have had a gig and a cold. i medicated and went ahead and played as long as my nose wasn't running and i wasn't coughing. i could get well later was how i thought.
but the other issue to think on is what you may be blowing into your reed plates that will make a reed stick or buzz.
it's not just phlegm but bits of food, a stray mustache hair, and who knows what all!
there are several methods for cleaning a harp. i don't like dish soap because the scent in it usually stays with the harp after cleaning. some use denture cleaning tablets and a soak method, but i haven't tried this.
i use 91% alcohol in a shallow dish where the reed plates will lay flat. a good soak and then a wipedown with a lint free cloth. and a very thin strip of metal to run around the actual reeds and their slots. i usually disassemble the plates from the comb so i can also clear the channels in the comb also. that's a deep cleaning method which will kill any germ or at least most germs. and also insures that there is no foreign matter in the reeds or slots, or that can find its way from a comb into the reeds.
a quick cleanup is just gently running water, lukewarm, and a good tap-out and dryout for a few minutes. i don't deep clean real often, as long as i have harps that are performing as they should i don't worry about it. i DO rinse them occasionally esp after playing a gig someplace, just to make sure they won't get clogged in any way.
i don't let anyone use my harps, it's the same as using a toothbrush someone else has used to me. very seldom in my life have i used a harp that has been used by someone else. in that case i always do an alcohol cleanup first.
imho, cleanup is more to keep the harp working well than a fear of germs, but all the same i don't care to kiss another player by proxy!
I'm sick right now! (I promise not to infect you guys!)
It sucks to feel like this and try to play. Sometimes I can during the day but when you have the upper respitory stuff it's hard when you can't breathe.
At least one good thing is, when you have a bad cold, maybe your harp playing suffers but you have a great blues voice!
The other week I had one of those colds whereby you have to blow your nose every 2 minutes. It was pointless trying to play. So, instead, I put some harp stuff on repeat that I wanted to learn and listened to it over and over again. After all, listening is part of the whole deal. I got something out of it. Better than doing nothing, I thought. ---------- 'If it sounds GOOD to you, it's bitchen; if it sounds BAD to YOU, it's shitty' - Frank Zappa
LOL! speak of the devil! I'm sick right now......just keep on playin..... there are a lot of books that say dont play when your sick but.....BLEACH and lots of water. ---------- ---Go Bears!!! (Richard Dent for Hall of Fame)---
I remember reading a post from someone who mentioned that playing harp prior running seemed to help with his endurance/breathing...There could actually be some benefits to playing harmonica when you have a cold or certain respiratory conditions.
Hey MrV,
It sounds like you enjoy an occasional bourbon...I usually stick with beer, but there's a special place in my heart for Maker's Mark!
Last Edited by on Feb 12, 2009 9:05 AM
well since i let alcohol go by the wayside some years ago, that's never an option when i'm sick. when i am having runny nose, cough, congestion, etc, i use an over the counter symptom reliever like theraflu, keep kleenexes handy, and try to time any coughing to between lines, verses, or songs. i stay hydrated with water, maybe some lemon in it. to me, if at all possible, the show must go on. very seldom have i had to cancel if i just got my rest and mads before hand, and maybe an energy drink just before setup. i can always die after the show.
in fact, many have been the day after a show when i was just pretty much worthless, just sleeping, eating, and maybe surfing the net, but no rigorous activity like yard work or exercise. i usually put it all out there like bob seger described in that one song, "turn the page".
whatever method you use, keep your harps clear of crud, take your meds if needed, and give it away for a few sets. we can't go back, there's no do-overs, so make the most of the opportunity when it's there.
Related question with respect to letting others use your harps. How do the customizers check their work along the way and when finished without playing the harp a bunch during the process? Just curious.
i just got my first cold in over a year. its pretty bad. i havnt played in a few days. its startin to get to me. i wanna play so bad. these are the only days i missed playing sense i started.
ironic. last weekend we had a gig out of town at a place i really want to stay on good terms with. so even though i was battling a cold, we went and played. first of 2 sets went ok but into the second set i was coughing at the end of almost every line i sang, so my wife took over all the vocals and that worked pretty well. i just backed her on harp and she sang great! it had been rainy here for a week before the gig and during and after, it was still rainy, which couldn't have helped matters any. but i paid for it. sunday, i felt like the lowest of the low. and i had to drive us home 3 hours and stow all the gear! monday i went to the doc and he gave me meds to take, and i am slowly feeling less bad day by day. but i realized, i need to clean all my harps after that. just because i doubt there's a chance i'll get sick again, after this 2 week ordeal with probably the worst illness i've had in 8 or 10 years, i think i won't chance it. 91% alcohol here i come!
I'm not saying this entirely the correct thing to do to get rid of a cold BUT, GO out get some fresh cold air, then barrage yourself with cigarettes and Alcohol, but don't play harps when your ill , , nothing that can't wait a few days ! Plus you don't want it back after sucking all that crap back , yeah clean your harps or just keep em away under lock and key until your better!
"Related question with respect to letting others use your harps. How do the customizers check their work along the way and when finished without playing the harp a bunch during the process? Just curious.
Buddha, are you there? "
I like to eat a bunch of tuna and onions before I play the harps. I believe and adding flavor to the harp. I like my harps to look good, play good and taste good. I also find that the little bits of tuna really help seal of the insides of the harp and as it rots the bacteria from the rotting tuna forms a kind of glue that stabilizes the reeds.
Last Edited by on May 14, 2009 6:46 AM
You mean there's an option not to play? Lol I'm addicted to harp but I must admit that the desire to play harp goes down and I've even gone up to 3 days without playing when sick... wisdom teeth was even worse- I couldn't play if I wanted to for like 3 days and even then I couldn't open my jaw enough to get a good tone ---------- "Without music, life would be a mistake" -Nietzsche
"wisdom teeth was even worse- I couldn't play if I wanted to for like 3 days and even then I couldn't open my jaw enough to get a good tone"
i opnce had 2 wisdoms out on a friday afternoon- a whole nother story- and played on saturday night, with plenty of packing around the sockets. i wasn't singing then and i did keep my jaws kind of tight together to keep the packing in place. but i did it and got p[aid and it wasn't half bad!
and i cleaned my harps after that gig, believe it.
I have tried the tuna method. Now my cats are attracted to my harps. Please advise.
What kind of sick are you guys talking about? I get sick like 2-3 times a year. When I get sick, I'm OUT! I have no mood to get out of bed let alone play a harp.
when i get sick i get SICK. i only get a cold like once or twice a year. but i still wanna play. today im feelin a little better. i cleaned my harps the quick way. i dont think i can pass an germs to them now so i should be good to play again. only my lips are a little raw from not being able to breath out my nose the past few days.
Yes, usually I try to practice if I'm sick. A good practice session puts me in a very happy mood which makes me feel great. It's amazing how music can help.
I don't think there is a good chance of re-infecting yourself. You body has already brought up its immunities. Like after a vaccine. Otherwise, we would all re-infect ourselves through our pillows and toothbrushes.
But if you are worried, that's what Bluebands are made for. :) And "Danactive". LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL ---------- ---Go Chicago Bears!!!---
Make sure your harp is clean BEFORE you play when you are sick. Nothing like sucking in a little scrap of last nights dinner to start a coughing fit. I think, most diseases die outside the human body pretty quickly unless they are in a cold damp place. You might want to let a wooded harp dry out a bit before you play it again. Personally, I can't play light enough to not trigger a coughing fit right now. I have some sort of flu I'm just getting over and the landlord picked today to send in the lawnmowers. I probably won't be able to breath for a couple more days. You could always try some Belgian music. I think they sound the best when your Phlegmish.
