Tom585
45 posts
Aug 02, 2017
4:45 PM
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Do you practice with your "first string" harps, i.e., the ones you use at gigs?
I would rather not but often do because I want the feel and responsiveness of my gig harps, some of which are customized and others that I've gapped. But I don't want to reduce the lifespan of my best harps. It's a dilemma.
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Irish Soul
57 posts
Aug 02, 2017
5:41 PM
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I'm not the best player here or the most experienced....but I do know this....what you practice is what you will do, meaning when there is pressure...this applies to anything in life. If you play second fiddle long enough that is what will feel right to you, if you take my meaning.
Myself?
I play my best enough that they never feel like a stranger.
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ejakon
68 posts
Aug 02, 2017
6:03 PM
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sometimes, but i get scared i might break my precious Seydel 1847s
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SuperBee
4860 posts
Aug 02, 2017
6:35 PM
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I use the same harps for rehearsals as gigs.
I have other harps, including a pair I carry for ad hoc practice. This is more about memory of songs and licks though, or working things out.
Being able to repair your harps will relieve a lot of anxiety about breaking them.
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BnT
70 posts
Aug 02, 2017
9:37 PM
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Practicing with gig harps on a regular basis would not be my first choice. Okay for fine tuning your sound occasionally or when your practice set is missing the key you need for a song you're practicing, but when I hit the stage I want the gig harps in the best possible shape.
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BnT
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WinslowYerxa
1407 posts
Aug 02, 2017
9:53 PM
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My gig harps are my practice harps. How will I know how they'll respond on the gig if I don't practice on them?
If you're worried about breaking a reed or putting the harp out of tune, learn to play with minimal force to get maximal sound, and learn to repair your harps
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Winslow
Check out my blog and other goodies at winslowyerxa.com
Harmonica For Dummies, Second Edition with tons of new stuff
Join us in 2017 for SPAH in Tulsa!
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STME58
2013 posts
Aug 03, 2017
12:17 AM
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I also use my best harps for practice for the reasons mentioned here. I have learned to play with less force and harps go a year or two before needing repair. I did have three go out in one week a few weeks ago. I took the two Suzuki’s to Gnarly for repair and sent the Spiers harp to Joe for repair. I picked up the Suzukis a week or so ago and they are a bit better than new. I just got the Spiers harp back tonight and it plays beautifully. Secondary harps are for backup, not for practice. I feel I need to practice with what I will be playing. I can’t get overblows on many of my backup harps. The more I practice with well setup harps, the more of the secondary harps I can overblow though. It is a strange balance of learning skill and having good equipment.
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John M G
154 posts
Aug 03, 2017
12:40 AM
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I've gone the other way, I'm now using my Joe Spiers harps at home and am learning to control my breath and cut back a bit on the breath and draw force.
At home I find this easier
But these are the first time I've ever had professionally set up harmonicas so want to take care of them in these days of playing with a quality instrument.
I found when I used them in the gig situation I tend to blow harder and come up with shut down notes using these finer tuned harps.
I then bought a few more Hammonds and Promasters to gig with until I've developed my breath skills to a better level.
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SuperBee
4866 posts
Aug 03, 2017
4:15 AM
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That makes sense to me John. I played my best harps as practice harps too. But then I began using them for gigs because why would I play difficult harps?
My Spiers stage 2 harps are fantastic, G and Bb. My Sleigh D is so good it's changed the way I play.
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harpwrench
1120 posts
Aug 03, 2017
5:57 AM
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John's customs are set up for OB's, just saying. As far as OB harps go, they aren't inherently stuffy but there is a limit to how much air they'll take. If you play hard, mainly use OBs in passing, or just need a 6 OB then the stage I is the best tool for the job.
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www.spiersharmonicas.com
High Performance Harmonicas
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dougharps
1533 posts
Aug 03, 2017
7:52 AM
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I have several sets of harps with various brands/models of harp that are all suitable for gigs. I switch among them and my 2nd and third string harps when practicing, not restricting myself to just the best. I have some sets that are less than optimal, but still usable at a gig if needed, and I practice with them, too. While I practice on those second string harps I often may adjust gaps to try to improve their response.
I have two primary go-to sets of 14 keys, and a backup set with some additional low keys included for use at paying gigs. I have adjusted the gaps on all of them lower and to allow at least the 6OB, and on most keys, the 4 and 5 OB.
One primary gig set has several customs and I can play them very expressively with lower airflow, but if I get carried away they will often choke. The other set I use on songs that rock out and upon which I may play more aggressively. I have learned that while playing fast rocking songs I may get carried away with breath force/volume and I need more tolerant and hardy harmonicas.
Sometimes after practicing with my less responsive 2nd and 3rd string harps I switch and find that my better harps seem remarkably responsive. I think that if you have a variety of instruments it is good to not just practice with only your best custom gig harps, but it is also not good to just use others for practice and switch at the gig. By varying the harps you use to practice you practice making adjustments in how you play, which will serve you well when you need to switch harmonicas. Just my opinion, it works for me...
I also strongly believe that if you are playing for money you need to have at least two of each key you will use, and if you play in different ensembles you need to have all the keys in order to respond with what is called for musically.
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Doug S.
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Joe_L
2742 posts
Aug 06, 2017
8:58 AM
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My gig harps are my practice harps. It has been my experience that when I switch, I will wish I hadn't because response is different. Most of my harps are MS harps. Some of them have been gapped a bit, but most are straight out of the box. Recently, I've started switching to Marine Bands and notice a bit of differences.
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Kingley
4071 posts
Aug 06, 2017
10:16 AM
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So some of you guys have practice sets and gig sets of harmonicas? That's a new one to me. I just use all my harps for both and always have. To be honest I just thought that's what everyone did. Can't really see the point of having a dedicated practice set of harps myself.
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Goldbrick
1854 posts
Aug 06, 2017
10:30 AM
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The case I use for gigs stays packed with my gig harps, cable and mic.
My gig drum kit stays packed the same way.
This way its grab and go with no surprises cause I took something out and forgot to replace it
I have other stuff to use to practice but I dont overblow or need special stuff
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