[Harp-L] tuning and gapping

[Robert Bonfiglio <bon@xxxxxxxxxx>]

My rule of thumb on gapping is that you want the reed high enough so  
that when you hit it hard it doesn't choke and but low enough that if  
you play it softly it starts right away with no air escaping.  The  
low reeds are gapped high and the high reeds are gapped close to the  
plate.

For tuning, tune the draw reeds right on the comb using a small Korg  
Tuner, then write on paper the names of the notes on the blow reeds  
in order and check and write how many cents off they are.  Now take  
the plates off and sound the blow reeds from the opposite side using  
a huge draw pucker, this will clear all valves on chromatics. Check  
the pitch again using this technique. Tune the reeds up  
proportionately by the number of cents you wrote down.  All covered  
in my seminars.

It's very easy; practice on an old set of plates.  You do not have to  
be all that gentle, these reeds are very strong if they are not  
already broken.

Be very careful of Vern - he will have you building the equipment to  
mine your own metal for reeds, cut them, grind them, and test their  
durability to tolerances the Space Shuttle should use.  Just  
kidding!!  Hello Vern, was that a good shot?

Harmonically yours,

Robert Bonfiglio
http://www.robertbonfiglio.com