[Harp-L] Re: Current Hohner reeds

["Joe Spiers" <joemopar@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Reed failure is mostly caused by player technique and poor resonance. 
Bending notes to pitch (it sounds better anyway) instead of the floor 
of the bend (very flat- sounds bad) will help make most reeds last a 
very long time.

The latest Hohner reeds are softer and theoretically more durable. The 
quality control is as good or better as any of them. They've fixed a 
lot of problems they had. But, this softer brass also causes them to 
flex differently. The flex area affects the limits of what I can 
achieve with tone, volume, response, and tuning stability. I think 
they play well stock, in fact a lot of the Marine Bands will OB right 
out of the box. But they won't give me what I want from them when 
modified. The older, harder-brass reeds are a lot more work.... but 
the end result is a harp that feels, sounds, and plays just a little 
bit better for what I need it to do.

JS