2draw
24 posts
Jul 03, 2008
6:54 PM
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I have been playing for several years and I'm wondering is breaking in harps over rated ? I have had harps that I played gently for a while and I ve had harps that for whatever reason I just started playing hard rite away. And I dont notice any real differance in life of the harp or playability.
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eharp
53 posts
Jul 03, 2008
7:00 PM
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i learned as a kid that it was important.
i oil it up, put a ball in the web, tie it tight with twine, stick it under the mattress. leave it there for a couple of weeks. it always worked.
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oldwailer
103 posts
Jul 03, 2008
7:03 PM
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I basically just go for it on any harp I ever bought--I figure if they can't take it then screw 'em. Harps get expensive because you need so many--but it ain't like you've bought a grand piano or anything--I just love to play as full out as I know how--and I love to work at knowing how to play even fuller out.
When they break--I just fix 'em or add them to the spare parts pile.
I actually don't have a lot of trouble with them breaking--so maybe I don't really know how to play that hard yet!
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Ant138
7 posts
Jul 03, 2008
11:53 PM
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I just give em a gentle warm up for 2 mins then rock out. It doesnt seem to make much difference.
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BigHarper
3 posts
Jul 06, 2008
6:02 PM
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I find that it takes a while for certain reeds to attain their "memory" when I start bending on a new harp. I find the reed will sound either a little flat or a little sharp with a normal bend movement. Hold the note at the correct tone for about 20 long breaths and you'll notice the reed suddenly "finds" the correct note more easily. Other than that, I give a few gentle blows and draws through the top four hole and I'm good to go.
Last Edited by on Jul 06, 2008 6:03 PM
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T. Hutch
2 posts
Jul 06, 2008
10:27 PM
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Adams` lesson #16 on YT breaks down his method for loosening up the "out of the box" Marine Bands. A little spit in the stuborn hole always works too! But, Yea I just like to break em in as they break in. I`ve accumulated quite a collection of same key and different key harps that if one don`t break in as fast as I might want I just shelf the puppy and grab one that turns the bend and keep on driving down the road.
Last Edited by on Jul 06, 2008 11:08 PM
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oldwailer
112 posts
Jul 07, 2008
8:25 PM
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Yeah Hutch--I do that too--strangely, I never see anybody else playin harp on the road--but it sure helps pass the time in traffic!
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