Cthulhu
1 post
Jan 17, 2015
12:37 PM
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First of all thanks to Adam Gussow for accepting my membership request.
I purchased Golden Melody in C (my first harp) few days ago. I can get 2nd hole draw loud and clear but 2nd and 3rd hole blow sounds a bit airy. It feels like some air leaks before reeds respond. And you can hear that 'wuuussh' sound clearly.
Is it normal? How do I make it sound airtight? Thanks for the time.
Cheers.
PS
I apologize if I posted this in wrong forum but I didn't find 'N00b Subforum'.
Last Edited by Cthulhu on Jan 17, 2015 12:39 PM
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orphan
399 posts
Jan 17, 2015
12:51 PM
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Welcome to the forum Cthulhu. I would suggest you look at the "Progressive" vs. "Classic" Special 20 thread. It seems that Hohner has been inconsistent with the gapping and you might need to adjust the gap on some of your reeds. Take a look at the video in that thread with Richard Sleigh using a toothpick to adjust gaps. Generally, the Golden Melody is known for being one of the most airtight ootb harps around. Let us know if adjusting the gaps helps the reed response.
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SuperBee
2330 posts
Jan 17, 2015
1:01 PM
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Agree that sounds symptomatic of wide gaps. Maybe difficult to bend the draw notes in those chambers also.
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Cthulhu
2 posts
Jan 17, 2015
1:21 PM
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Thanks for the reply guys. No matter what - puckering, deep position, blocking other holes with finger or tape, dropping the jaw, it still sounds a bit airy. It must be what you call wide gaps. Gonna open it up. I hope I won't break anything.
Weird things happen to me all the time. :)
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orphan
400 posts
Jan 17, 2015
2:05 PM
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Here is another great video on gapping by Joe Spiers. Sooner or later, if you play harmonica you are probably going to have to "get under the hood". Go slow and remember it is small piece of brass so small adjustments will yield big results.
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Harpaholic
583 posts
Jan 17, 2015
2:16 PM
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If you have only been playing harp a few days its probably you not the harp. You don't have enough experience to know if its your technique or the harp. Most people can't learn to play single notes in a few days. The GM is a respectable harp.
Don't mess with the harp just practice. I learned on Silvertone's which are in a different league.
Most people learn on crappy harps, you started with a good one.
I'm sure its not as bad as you think.
Last Edited by Harpaholic on Jan 17, 2015 7:33 PM
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Harmlessonica
8 posts
Jan 17, 2015
3:35 PM
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Hi Cthulhu, and welcome to the forum.
You did the right thing coming here.
Our leading harmonisticians are ready and waiting to assist in all your supernatural elimination needs. :)
You sound like you've been very logical in assessing each hole independently. Gapping may not be the only issue, but I guess some careful tweaks would probably help. Gapping is something I myself am only very recently (thanks to this forum) appreciating the importance of.
Good luck, and please let us know how it works out.
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timeistight
1677 posts
Jan 17, 2015
3:36 PM
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I agree with Harpaholic. You have not been playing long enough to judge whether a harp has problems let alone be able to fix them.
Practice for a year or two before worrying about gapping.
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Cthulhu
3 posts
Jan 17, 2015
3:40 PM
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Must be my technique then. Please check this audio clip. What do you think?
https://app.box.com/s/5m9yetc4uuwqs2t18dfkth13b4y3rooh
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SuperBee
2335 posts
Jan 17, 2015
5:37 PM
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who knows. what you describe is typical of a wide gap. lots of air before it responds...but it could be that youre missing the hole somewhat...put some tape over the adjacent holes and blow it. if that makes a difference then its probably technique. if its the same its probably the harp. take it apart and have a look...compare those reeds to the ones which respond well, watch some videos. learning to adjust gaps was the single biggest factor in improving my rate of progress on the harp. i thoroughly disagree with the idea that you should struggle with badly adjusted harps for years before attempting to learn how to adjust them
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SuperBee
2336 posts
Jan 17, 2015
5:38 PM
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you could always get a few more harps and see if they all treat you the same way
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timeistight
1678 posts
Jan 17, 2015
8:54 PM
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"i thoroughly disagree with the idea that you should struggle with badly adjusted harps for years before attempting to learn how to adjust them"
Well, that's what makes a horse race, ain't it?
Okay, the "practice for a year or two" was exaggeration. However, Cthulhu has only been playing for a few days. I don't think you can adjust a harp to your playing style (i.e., gap it) until you've developed a playing style.
"you could always get a few more harps and see if they all treat you the same way"
I think that's good advice.
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Cthulhu
4 posts
Jan 17, 2015
10:58 PM
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Finally while cursing M Hohner and his ancestors I managed open the harp. The gap was a tad bit larger than other reeds, indeed. I lowered it a bit and what a difference it made! I even managed to bend the notes (not sure about it though :D ). (still somewhat airy but I'm not gonna tinker with it again) I love this thing.
orphan, SuperBee, Harpaholic, Harmlessonica, timeistight thanks for your help!
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orphan
401 posts
Jan 18, 2015
6:36 AM
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Thanks for the update Cthulhu. Enjoy your Golden Melody!
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Harmlessonica
15 posts
Jan 18, 2015
3:48 PM
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That's great to hear Cthulhu! You've definitely convinced me to tinker with my own harmonicas...
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