As a relative newbie (6ish months of playing), I've been lurking here for a while, but finally have a question to pose to all of you....
I've finally gotten to the point where I can consistently bend notes - usually close in tuning to where I want them to be, but I'm consistently having problems on 2 harmonicas - a D Lee Oskar and an F Tombo Aero Reed. On a couple of different holes, I'm getting a horrible metallic screeching noise on bends - most frequently on a 2-step draw for the 3-hole, and occasionally when I bend too far, on the 6-draw.
I found this page from patmissin that talks about the problem: http://www.patmissin.com/ffaq/q17.html
Before he goes into the explanation of applying nail polish, gapping, embossing etc, he says this, with no further explanation.
"The first place for improvement is in the player. Better technique will result in less wild screeching from the harp."
Since I'm new, I figure that's better technique is probably the main thing I should focus on. But what should I be working on?
I have the same problem, and I've been playing quite a lot longer. Especially on high harps and on 2 double bends. It only sets in if you hold the bend for a while on the same pitch. It helps to open up emboussure (?), but not on all harps.
This is a common problem with Lee Oskar/Tombo harps, regardless of how proficient the player is. I have the same problem, which is why Lee Oskar harps have never been a good option for me.
I can understand the need for the use of nail polish on techniques which are more radical, such as overblows and overdraws, but not on something as common as bends.
It doesn't take much to make a Lee Oskar squeal, so don't let this discourage you or make you feel like this is due to your technique.
Last Edited by on Aug 23, 2012 7:53 PM
I am just wondering when the squeal occurs? Is it during a sustained bend? If so, I've heard of a phenomenon called sympathetic resonance. If I have the term correct anyways. As I understand it another reed that is not supposed to be directly involved somehow does become involved.
I had a squeal problem early on in my upper register playing, but it went away over time.
Keep playing, your embouchure and muscle memory will evolve and the squeal will disappear.
Note: I may be off base with the sympathetic resonance so someone feel free to chime in. ---------- Go ahead and play the blues if it'll make you happy. -Dan Castellaneta
There are a few different reasons for the squealing on the bends, which you will always hear whenever you're bending past the floor of the bend as well as playing too hard.
One reason is a gapping issue because for the bend, the two reeds in the hole work together as a pair and if the reeds aren't gapped properly, sqeuals can happen.
The other more common reason is when the reed plates aren't aligned properly on the plate, and when the reeds are bolted together, if the screw hole is tapped just even the slightest bit out of place, the slots of the reeds won't be lined up properly and then the squealing happens as soon as the player hits the bend far too hard and is also going past the floor of the bend. On the other hand, this can be a good way to learn to stop playing so hard all the time as well as learning to stop bending past the floor of the bend as well.
I've seen this happen with EVERY single make/model/manufacturer of harmonics that have ever been made and so no single company is no more guilty than another and that's the truth. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
Do yourself a favor. Start playing different harmonics. I would suggets Hohner Special 20's. Same price range, but a much better harmonica. Keep practicing it just takes a while!
or try the Seydel Blues Session (yes, I am an endorser but have no financial interest). Same idea as Special 20... I think you would like it for the same reasons. After that, personal taste etc.
I'm with bbbqbob on this. Bending past the floor and that's going to make it sound horrible, squeals or no squeals. That said I get squels from my LO:s, too especially in OB but sometimes on drawbends, too (bending too far!).
Your soundclips sound almost as if one of the reed is choking and the other one carrying the bend. Gapping could help with that I guess. But, keep at it try to get more relaxed! It'll lessen the choke. ---------- Pistolkatt - Pistolkatts youtube
Last Edited by on Aug 24, 2012 2:52 PM
I have a Suzuki bluesmaster in D that used to do this on the 3 whole full step bend. Not past the floor, just if I had to hold the note a little while it would start up this squeal. It's why I don't play that harp. I think the LO I had (C) was the same, but it's a while ago. I'm sure I've encountered the problem at other times but that Suzuki was memorable. I think I assumed it was a short-slot thing. I think it did get to be less of an issue over time, but it's been a while ----------
Last Edited by on Aug 25, 2012 5:18 AM
Last Edited by on Aug 25, 2012 5:18 AM