Picking up from another thread I'd like to know how other harp players who use a rack whilst playing guitar get on with it. If it's not difficult enough to multitask I have the added problem of not feeling at all comfortable when playing.
I really don't feel completely in control of the harp. Folk style feels a bit easier but Blues is tricky, especially when trying to grip a nice 2 or 3 hole draw bend. I have tried adjusting the rack, close to the face gives me more control but then I feel cramped as if I'm wearing an orthopaedic neck brace. What's the answer? Is there an answer? or is it just plain awkward.
btw I have tried mounting the harp on a mike stand with a boom and that feels a bit better.
Try different holders. I think I have a problems with coordination, but I try harp rack by dunlop and I start playing bossanovas very easy, while with hohner rack I hardly played simple riffs. Anyway, I'm still not want to play guitar and harmonica at the same time... ---------- Excuse my bad English. Click on my photo or my username for my music.
I've had this problem in the past and the main thing I did to solve it was not play so hard on the harp. Loosen up your lips to the point where they only form a seal to enable you to play, and not put pressure on the rack so that it moves away from your face. If you can learn to do this you can play using any rack.
Also, obviously it depends on your abilities as a guitarist - I find the most difficult songs to combine harp/ guitar are where you need to concentrate on both. I've played guitar way before I learned harp so I don't need to think about anything except the chord changes. The rest of the time I'm thinking about nailing the harp in time with my guitar backing. I learned alot from watching Jon Gindick videos. And yup takes a bit of practice!
Last Edited by on Dec 27, 2010 8:00 AM
@Boris. Thanks. I like the look of the Dunlop and will order one.
@NG I agree the guitar is best if it's on auto-pilot if you like. To concentrate on a piece that is complex on both levels would be a step too far. I will try the soft approach, I mean it's not is if I'm ramming the harp in my mouth when holding it, so relax a bit. The dunlop looks like I can change the angle of the harp which might help also.
@Greyowlphotoart, As a guitar player, as soon as I could play single notes clearly on the harp I started incorporating the rack. At first it was like learning to walk, but within a week coordination improved tremendously. I experienced the same issues to which you speak, especially the rack and harp moving from side to side. I stretched a bungee around my back, under my arms and to each side of the rack. Miracle!! Way easier. I'm going to make a clip-on strap to replace the bungee soon. It might be possible to get rid of this strap as technique improves.
I struggled with this for many years--I still have a bone yard of old racks I've tried and hated. I finally found a rack that works well for me--(I was never clever enough to think of a bungee cord).
They run about $150 dollars or so--and they ship from Germany, so it takes a week or so to get them. The people at Harponline are just great to deal with. . . ----------
OOPs--I just looked at the pdf I linked to--it's the wrong one--the latest design is a little different and has an adjustment for tilting the harp--which is very important to me. . . ----------
I started out with a Hohner rack. It's made very solid but is impossible to bend at the right angle (up at the back)for me. I now use a Lee Oscar rack and is easy to bend to the right position.
I still have to have it crammed in front of my face, I just watch out when I'm not playing so my beard doesn't catch.
I'm a very dry player (saliva, not style) so to keep the side to side movement to a minimum I have to keep my lips really wet and play with a lighter touch.
It's still awkward but I've gotten used to it (not that I'm actually any good at it). ---------- Ozark Rich __________ ##########
@ Oldwailer Now that looks like a really nice harp rack and I like the adjustments that can be made. It is a pricey but I guess if it does what you want of it then it's worth it. I'll have to ponder on the amount of use I will have for it. I did like the look of the Dunlop but I dont know if it will work on the full length cover plates of my GM's and Suzukis.
@Ozark Rich Yes you seem to be at the same degree of discomfort as me. Feels more like being put on the Rack than playing on one.
I hear what NG is saying, that's great advice. Racks seem to be one thing, though where the right gear really does make a difference. I recently bought a Harp Handle and it provides a great feeling of freedom as opposed to the fixed Hohner type rack which holds the harp steady but feels like a straightjacket. Only thing is that you need to replace the wingnuts with something stronger to keep the harp steady enough. I used bar handles and I'm really happy with it. You are in Oldwailer's league of musicianship and could justify a $150 rack, but for $15 I'm really happy with the harp handle.
Edit--for clarity, Dunlop is the harp handle
Last Edited by on Dec 27, 2010 12:02 PM
Every time I've tried to use a harp rack I've ended up with neck pain and sloppy playing. There definitely is a learning curve involved. Since I basically just sing and harp it wasn't worth the time and effort for me. I was just using it to be more productive on my computer while I was practicing!
Harp rack costs about 10 bucks. Bend the cheap ones till it feels right. Also, at SPAH I got a really nice one from Suzuki that is coming out soon. It has a unique design that gives you the right angle. Hohner is also supposed to be coming out with a rack that will bend at several points, which is what you need - or buy a 10 buck one! Here's my cheap rack getting a work out.
The harp handle is the next best rack I ever had until I found the Sonnenschein rack--it allows the tilt to be adjusted also--but there are a lot of harps it won't work on--like GM's and the thicker custom combs like Buddha made. (You can bend it enough to work on a Buddha harp--but then it won't hold regular harps well). It (the handle) is a lot better if you fit it with knobs from Ace Hardware instead of the thumbscrews--as Hollistonharper has said.
This Sonnenschein rack will even hold two harps at the same time--side by side--and it will hold 12 and 14 holers--and (I think) it would even hold a chro--but I don't play chro and don't know that for sure.
It sounds like I'm doing a sales pitch here--all I really mean to say is that I personally like this rack a lot and it has made a huge difference in my ability to play harp and guitar at the same time--without sounding like a thin whispy Bob Dylan. . . ----------
@robdee--you were posting your video while I was posting my last one. which reminded me--many good players, like you, obviously don't need a fancier rack--you do great with cheap ones--and even get a good tone--well played!. . . ----------
@oldwailer - thanks for your compliment. I have tried many racks over the years - the harp handle is a good choice as you point out. If I had the money, I'd get a fancier one but for now, the cheap ones that can be bent are a good alternative. The only problem is that they are - well - cheap! Especially, the long brace that the harp sits on. It is too soft so it bends too much. I'm going to come up with something to replace that. I also put a piece of rubber tube on the neck part.
Nice work Robdee. Umm right, I'm changing my mind again now. I have a cheap bendable rack and I've twisted it frenetically this way and that like a manic balloon bender all to no avail. I think what I'm going to do is play the harp on the rack without the guitar like Nacoran and get as comfortable as I can before adding guitar. I think the concentration needed to play both instruments is adding stress to my play which intensifies the physical discomfort and the feeling of lack of control.
