Mikeharp
1 post
May 28, 2012
8:22 PM
|
The 4th blow reed get stuck in the slot after overblow on my key-G sp20.
There's too much saliva (or steam) on it.
The colder,the more frequently it happens.
Do I have to warm up my harp?
----------
Please excuse my poor English.
|
nacoran
5750 posts
May 28, 2012
9:34 PM
|
If it's just happening on one harp you might have a slightly misaligned reed, but it happens on other harps, or you are fairly new to playing it may be your technique. A lot of new players play kind of wet. There are a couple simple things you can do to play less wet. I've noticed if I'm leaning forward when I play I tend to get more spit in the harp (I think it's just a matter of gravity. If your head is tilted forward more spit comes out.) Even just tilting the harp up at a slight angle can help. I don't think warming your harp will effect it much. I think much more saliva gets in your harp in the form of just ordinary spit rather than condensation. When you are playing tap your harp on your pant leg to get excess out. Also avoid dairy for at least an hour before playing (dairy makes you produce more phlegm.) Avoid sugary drinks and food when you are playing. They'll make things sticky.
If that doesn't work you may have a reed that is slightly out of whack. Depending on the kind of harmonica that can be a really easy fix. It can be as easy as using a slip of paper:
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/3479245.htm
Of course that's assuming you have a harmonica that uses screws. If your harmonica uses nails you'll want to watch Adam's video #16.
http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/3479245.htm
----------
Nate
Facebook
Thread Organizer (A list of all sorts of useful threads)
|
ElkRiverHarmonicas
1059 posts
May 29, 2012
4:01 PM
|
This happens a lot. You can try tapping it out more. You could rinse it out in a bowl of water, you could also open the gap slightly if this is a recurring problem.
And yes, you could warm it up before you play... Especially if it's cold.
----------
David
Elk River Harmonicas
Elk River Harmonicas on Facebook
"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato." - Lewis Grizzard
"Also, drinking homemade beer." - David Payne
Last Edited by on May 29, 2012 4:03 PM
|
Mikeharp
2 posts
May 30, 2012
12:20 AM
|
Thank you,nacoran and ElkRiverHarmonicas. I think I finally figured this out. Actually, this getting stuck problem can be caused by many factors. I cleaned the reed with 99% alcohol, and adjusted the reed over and over again with a slip of paper. Now I can overblow on the 4th hole much easier. Problem solved.
----------
Please excuse my poor English.
|
barbequebob
1914 posts
May 30, 2012
8:29 AM
|
@Nacoran -- the avoidance of dairy products for at least 1-2 hours minimum is the very same advice given by just about every reputable vocal coach for the very same reasons and I follow that advice to the letter.
Dried on saliva along with layers of dead skin drying on the harp, especially on the reeds and the reed slots is a big problem for every player, often times this is a result from using too much breath force, tho there are players who don't play very hard and have a problem with saliva problems from playing with a wet mouth and it's a good idea to periodically taking the harp apart and cleaning the reed plate with a lint free paper towel and isoporopyl alcohol (preferably 91% by volume, but 70% will do) helps a lot. If you gig at least 4-10++ nights a month, you may want to do it every 2-3 weeks and you'd be surprise how fast this builds up. On harps with tight reed slot tolerances, such as Seydel 1847's, Manji, MB Crossovers (or just the very newest Hohner stock in general now), and especially with custom harps, it becomes a lot more important because it doesn't take much to clog them up.
----------
Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
|
