RE:[Harp-L] Is it just me or are higher keys harder to play?

["samblancato" <samblancato@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Paul Writes: "Is it just me (or my cheap harps) or are harmonicas in higher
keys

harder to play?"

 

Paul, I play SP 20s and Blues harps and I don't like keys higher than D
either.  Everything that I do on the lower keys seems to be a lot harder and
harsher on keys E and F and even D - head shakes, throat vibrato, and
anything that requires a quick, hard attack where fast blow/draw changes are
needed. The higher keys seem to choke out on me a lot too.  My solution has
been something of a cop-out.  I have Low D, E, and F harps (sp 20s) and I
use these instead.   I know I'll probably never have any desire to play high
F at all but I'd like to get more comfortable on D, E flat, and E.  I don't
think there is anything you can to tweak them (i.e. gapping or what ever).
The reeds are just shorter and therefore stiffer.  I think it's just a
matter of learning the breath and mouth control that works for those
shorter, reeds. 

 

Sam Blancato, Pittsburgh