tchou-qui
1 post
Nov 16, 2010
6:18 AM
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I am a new member so forgive me if this has been covered already.
I have a harp in the key of C that is giving me a hell of a time getting all the way down on the 2 hole draw bend without squeaking. When I do get it there it is almost imposible to hold it. I am not having this problem on my other C, or my other keys for that matter. Is this something I can fix or do I need to chunk it? But on the other hand, should it be my practice harp because if I can hold that bend on it, other harps should be a breeze?
Any ideas, suggestions?
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tookatooka
1854 posts
Nov 16, 2010
6:22 AM
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What make of harp is it tchou-qui? It may just need a slight adjustment.
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tchou-qui
2 posts
Nov 16, 2010
6:24 AM
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It's a hohner Blues Harp MS.
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tookatooka
1855 posts
Nov 16, 2010
6:27 AM
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I have no experience with those but someone here is bound to know the answer. I've heard that some Lee Oscars squeak when trying to overblow but I haven't heard it with a 2 draw before. Have you stripped it down and had a good look at it?
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tchou-qui
3 posts
Nov 16, 2010
6:35 AM
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Yes, I broke it and my other C down (for reference) and they looked the same to me. Of course I really didn't know what I was looking for.
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LeonStagg
192 posts
Nov 16, 2010
6:44 AM
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Probably a reed issue..... have you tried using less breath force? BBQ Bob has some good information on excessive air and it's effects. You may want to check out some of his posts on it.
Good luck with it. Welcome to the community!
Last Edited by on Nov 16, 2010 6:45 AM
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tookatooka
1856 posts
Nov 16, 2010
6:44 AM
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Make sure the reed is aligned in the slot evenly and that there are no tiny burrs of metal from the slot making contact with the reed. Magnifying glass would help.
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tchou-qui
4 posts
Nov 16, 2010
6:55 AM
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I will check out BBQ Bob has to say, thanks.
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the_happy_honker
44 posts
Nov 16, 2010
11:58 AM
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I think this is a case of bad embouchure.
This squealing on a bend happened to me a lot when I was first learning harmonica (lip puckering) and then went away until I (just recently) began learning tongue blocking. As I get better at tongue blocking, it doesn't happen so often.
After thinking about it and experimenting a bit, I have come up with a theory.
I think it is a caused by a tiny leak to one side of the mouth. There is less airflow on that side of the chamber and therefore less force bending the reed. If this difference in force across the width of the reed hits a resonant frequency, the result is a very high pitched shrieking sound.
My "bend shrieking" usually occurs, oddly enough, when I am trying too hard to get a good seal. I jam the harmonica too hard into my mouth until the skin, especially at the corners, is stretched too tightly over the irregularities in the surface of the harp. This can also happen if the muscles around the lips are too tense.
The solution is to lighten up a bit and allow your embouchure (the mouth-to-harp interface) to flow into the irregularities and fill them and thus getting a good seal.
I hope this helps!
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tchou-qui
7 posts
Nov 16, 2010
2:28 PM
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Thanks, I think that is it. I bent it down, it squeaked so I moved the harp around some and loosened and tightened my embouchure and I can hear it change. I've actually found a sweet spot where I can bend it down with no problem.
I just dont understand why this harp appears to be pickier than my other ones.
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Lache pas la patate.
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Xpun3414
101 posts
Nov 16, 2010
2:45 PM
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Some harps are just like that.. some need the reeds fine tuned,most times its the player..just have to get used to the harp it self. Im very new to the harp as well So I feel your pain. I hear the MS series is a bit more involved, & need a bit of tuning out of the box. (not always but a lot of times). BTW,welcome to the web site. Youve found a GREAT site,Lots of help to be found here. Enjoy
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barbequebob
1430 posts
Nov 17, 2010
7:51 AM
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It is also equally important not to be using more breath force, and many newer players, in their frustration, nearly always are gonna be guilty of that, and then play often considerably harder trying to force it to happen, which is flat out bad playing technique. You will also need to be physically relaxed 24/7 and the inside shape of your mouth opened up more so that you are breathing more like a vocalist with a more open throat. To make the bends happen, you drop the teeth slightly (not in an exaggerated way). Controlling your breath force is something ALL harp players need to learn ASAP and it's pretty obvious you're using way too much of it. Many beginners also have a considerably harder draw breath force than their blow breath tends to be and that needs to be evened out. Many new players who are teaching themselves are often not around players who TRULY know their stuff well like a real pro would and they're not around people who won't hesitate to get in their face 24/7 once bad playing habits begin to happen.
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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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