Rasputin
4 posts
Jan 06, 2011
10:25 AM
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Perhaps it's because I'm a rookie, but I feel that my Lee Oskar's don't perform as well as other harps in the lower ranges. By range I mean lower key, lower notes. Holes 2/3 in G, 3 in Low F, 2 in A. I’ve tried adjusting the reeds multiple times with only minor improvements. Some reeds seem to require an inordinate amount of air to move compared the those next to them. But my Special 20’s in G and A feel silky smooth and I have no trouble with them.
Odd thing is I think I like the LO’s more in the mid-high ranges of C on up.
Is it because of the reputation of LO’s being a bit more sturdy and that I just can’t handle the equipment? Or do I need to be tuning as well as adjusting?
Thanks,
Tait Sweigart
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toddlgreene
2408 posts
Jan 06, 2011
10:50 AM
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If you're just starting out, your embouchere is possibly to blame, but you say you have other harps that the low end is easy on, so I'd open them and check your gapping. Lots of good videos out there on the subject. If you've been using excessive breath force, your gaps could have opened up as well. Dirty reed plates could be the culprit, too. There's no trend of LO harps in the lower keys being more difficult than the higher ones that I'm aware of, and I have plenty of them.
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Todd L. Greene, Codger-in-training
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hvyj
1007 posts
Jan 06, 2011
11:30 AM
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LOs have shorter reeds than Hohners, and so may feel a little "tighter" which is not necessarily a bad thing, especially since LOs also have better compression (air tightness).
Anyway, you've got to open your throat to get the low draw bends on low key harps. Put your throat in the open position it is in when you are in the middle of a yawn when you bend and PULL ALL AIR FROM THE DIAPHRAGM--not the mouth or lips. The pitch will drop.
Deep embouchure also helps.
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harpaddict
8 posts
Jan 06, 2011
11:41 AM
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As for the gapping... if you have lowered the draw reed and you still need a lot of air you need to lower the blow reed as well. Blow reeds, in the low end, need to have bigger gaps than the draw reeds.
Jon Harl
www.customseydels.com
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hvyj
1009 posts
Jan 06, 2011
11:58 AM
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Yeah, one needs to "balance" the gaps of the blow and draw reeds.
But, with all due respect, when novice or inexperienced players complain about an inability to play low end draw bends, most of the time the problem is with playing technique NOT the harp. Hitting those low end draw bends on low key harps ain't easy.
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Rasputin
6 posts
Jan 06, 2011
12:52 PM
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Thanks guys, I'll definitely take a look at balancing the gaps. I didn't know the draw reed gap could affect the blow reed so much and vice versa. I can hit the money notes with a good single try, just doing it consistently mid-riff is still hit and miss for me.
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Tait Sweigart
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