arzajac
14 posts
Jun 28, 2009
7:52 PM
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My first real harp was bought in April. A "C" diatonic Lee Oscar. I couldn't sound most of the high notes and I thought it was my technique.
I have since worked on my embouchure and I only have a problem with the 7 and 8 draw on that harp.
I have since bought to Marine Bands and have no such problem with them - so I don't think the problem is my technique. I have read up on troubleshooting this problem and I tried increasing the gap for these two reeds. The problem is ever so slightly better, but still a pain in the ass.
Should I continue to increase the gap? Is this the correct thing to do? I'm not sure I want to apply orthodontic wax or nail polish to the reed as is done to aid overblowing.
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ZackPomerleau
299 posts
Jun 28, 2009
10:29 PM
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Well, maybe the gaps are too high? That may be an issue. Open up the harp and push the reeds flush to the plates. Now, don't put the harp back together. Just draw in. If it doesn't work, raise the gap. Keep doing that until you get it.
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Kingley
129 posts
Jun 29, 2009
3:34 AM
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A few possibilities come to mind.
It could as Zack said be a gapping issue.
It might be that the reed isn't centered correctly in the slot.
Possibly the reed is catching on the slot at the rivet end and twisting slighty. causing an unnatural bend in the reed.
It could also be that the reed itself is damaged in some fashion
Of course these are only possibilities.
I am no expert and don't claim to know the cause for definite.
It might be an idea to make an audio file of the reed so that people can hear exactly what you mean. This would help some of them to identify what the cause might be.
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arzajac
15 posts
Jun 29, 2009
5:44 AM
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Here is an audio file: Link
That's 2 Draw, 6 blow, 7 draw (which works better than usual - it sounds worse when I draw harder, but I am currently at work...) and 8 draw. The blow reeds work fine. Although, I didn't record them here...
Last Edited by on Jun 29, 2009 5:46 AM
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Kingley
131 posts
Jun 29, 2009
6:02 AM
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Well bear in mind that I am no expert.
But it sounds to me like two things are the cause of the problem.
!. I suspect that the reed needs gapping properly.
2. It sounds as if your embouchure is a little off.
Now like I say I'm no expert, but it may be that you are using too much breath force and maybe trying to bend the note when you draw in without realising it.
Hopefully someone more qualified to answer the question will post on this thread and be able to give you a definitive answer.
Last Edited by on Jun 29, 2009 6:03 AM
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ness
31 posts
Jun 29, 2009
8:41 AM
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I experienced something very similar to what you're describing a few months ago when I started into all this. It turned out to be a combination of things -- just like Kingley suggested: technique and gapping.
There's a lot of good info available on gapping around, but I found this article particularly helpful:
http://www.harmonicasessions.com/apr04/h-workbench.html
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arzajac
16 posts
Jun 29, 2009
8:51 AM
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Thanks.
I have been thinking that it was my technique all along. But when I bought two other harps and I can play the high draw notes on them without any issues at all, I started to suspect a hardware problem.
I will try curving the reeds as the article mentions. The details in that article are very helpful.
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tookatooka
253 posts
Jun 29, 2009
8:53 AM
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Yes as Kingley said. I'm surprised we can hear your breath so loud - any tone should drown that. It may be that the reeds need attention because it shouldn't take such an effort to get them to sound. Before you touch the reeds though, open the inside of your mouth as though you have a golf ball in it, pucker up to the 6 blow and just exhale from the stomach is if you were huffing your breath onto a mirror to clean it. Try the same with the other notes you have probs with and see if there is any improvement. If not, it could be plan "B".
Someone will explain that, I'm sure.
Lee Oskars shouldn't be so difficult to play, they are a fair quality harp.
When I'm not blowing, I'm drawing.
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arzajac
17 posts
Jun 30, 2009
9:10 AM
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Thanks everyone.
I guess it's a combination of things, as most people have mentioned. I haven't touched the gaps any more that I already have and will continue to work on my embouchure. I guess that my expectations were a little high.
The two Marine Band harps that work better for me are in a lower key, so maybe that's why it's easier to play the high notes on them?
I read in the forum archives that "broken" harps like this have a tendency to get better after some woodshedding.
If I don't see any improvement after another few weeks, I'll try curving and gapping a little more.
Last Edited by on Jun 30, 2009 9:11 AM
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