Re: [Harp-L] Gapping

[G <gigs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Date: Tue, 21 Dec 2004 08:06:58 -0800 (PST)
From: Michael Fugazzi <mfugazzi67@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] Gapping
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
>I've been trying to gap for overblows and am finally
>having some success.  Even for harp that I don't
>overblow, changing the gap has made a huge difference.
> However, I almost always narrow the gap.  
>
>With this being said, I noticed that on my C and D
>harps the 3 draw bends are very hard to bend in
>comparison to lower keys (and similar keys of
>different harps).  In fact, I tend to choke them on
>any keys higher then D way too much.  I feel like
>there is just too much of a change in technique from
>key to key...especially when compared to bent notes
>else where on the harp.  
>
>If I widen the gap, will the bend be easier to play? 
>What about with blow bends (not overblows)?  If I
>adjust those reeds, can I make them easier to play? 
>Or is just the nature of beast in terms of changing
>keys?
>Mike

High end harps play differently to low end harps, but with gapping you can
reduce the difference some what. 

Something that is helpful to bear in mind when gapping unvaluved diatonic
harmonica - Gap the higher pitch reed more than the lower pitch reed in the
same chamber.  The higher pitch reed can produce bent notes, and therefore
doesn't choke as readily as its partner.

Eg.  Key of D harmonica blow reed hole 4 is D5, draw hole 4 is E5.  So you
can increase blow hole 4 reed a bit more to reduce the chances of choking,
while reducing the gapping of draw reed hole 4 to improve reed response.

Although if the difference in gapping between the two reeds is too wide
you'll run into trouble like having the reeds decouple while playing a bent
note.  And no matter how widely you gap blow reed hole 4, there is a limit
to how close you can gap draw reed hole 4 before it chokes.  But its good
to know you can get a bit tighter by compensating with the other reed's gap.

Although if you are gapping a harmonica for overblows, there are other
considerations.

-- G.
http://www.angelfire.com/music/harmonica/reedadjustment.html