nacoran
2643 posts
Aug 28, 2010
11:31 PM
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I was recording a harp track tonight on my LLF using a tongue block for an octave split, but I was having a distinct problem getting both reeds to sound at the same time. The lower reed was slow enough that I couldn't get it going to the beat without coming in too early with the other reed. I'm trying to picture in my head how to start tugging on the low reed first, but it's not happening. Anyone out there have any tongue fu that would solve the problem?
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Nate
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jbone
385 posts
Aug 29, 2010
6:28 AM
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what comes to mind immediately- and bear in mind i've yet to use a low low harp, however i have experienced the hohner 365 and a few standard low F's- perhaps you could block 3 holes and get the lower reed going for a second or 2, then open up the other hole.
have you checked to see that there's no blockage on that one reed?
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nacoran
2644 posts
Aug 29, 2010
10:54 AM
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The reed is swinging fine. It's a 1-4 draw and the 1 reed is just slow. I suppose I could open it up and look at the gapping, but I suspect it's just the nature of the beast. I remember someone having a conversation about getting low reeds to sound and they said something about getting the reed going below playing levels, but I can't figure that out on a split draw.
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Nate
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barbequebob
1201 posts
Aug 29, 2010
12:27 PM
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The low pitched reeds in harps that are lower than one octave down from standard tuning is not exactly unusual unless it's been customized. In that LLF, the reed is both longer and heavier and so you may want to take the breath force down a notch and also open the inside shape of your mouth more. When I tried a double bass harp one time, anything that's tough on Low F's or LLF's are child's play by comparison (all blow notes and no draw notes, plus the reeds are even longer and heavier). I really had to learn to ramp back much more because this was one harp I could get exhausted playing pretty quickly and it's without a doubt, probably the single most difficult harmonica to play.
even if you regap, be careful and do it only slightly. Another thing that may be a problem is that the reed may not be sitting flush flat on the plate and so you may want to get a small tack hammer and a small nail set and gently tap down on the rivet a few times to make sure it's flush flat on the plate and when a reed isn't flush flat on the plate, it can be pretty airy and delayed in response and volume as well.
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Sincerely,
Barbeque Bob Maglinte
Boston, MA
http://www.barbequebob.com
CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
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nacoran
2646 posts
Aug 30, 2010
12:03 PM
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Thanks BBQ. I'll give that a try.
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Nate
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