Re: [Harp-L] 4 Blow Reed Failures - Is it just me?

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

You're sucking too hard and breaking the blow reed. It's that simple.
 
Try bending gently at a whisper-quiet volume. Once you get the hang of it, you'll see how little energy you need to bend a note. Then try to apply that minimal amount of force to bending at nomral volumes. Then, try to integrate it into your live playing, where adrenaline and force of habit may lead you to continue playing too hard.
 
Don't believe that changing the model of harp you play will make enough of a difference. It won't. Sure, maybe one or two models might be more durable, but they'll still break quicker that they otherwise would when you stress them with excessive force. And what if you don't happen to like those harps anyway? Why let poor technique restrict your choice of harps?
 
The more efficient your harmonica technique is, the more control you have, and the more you can get out of your harps - both in expressive range and in reed life.
 
Winslow
 


Winslow Yerxa
Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5

--- On Sat, 12/20/08, Glenn and Debbie Woodhouse <gwoodhouse40@xxxxxxx> wrote:

From: Glenn and Debbie Woodhouse <gwoodhouse40@xxxxxxx>
Subject: [Harp-L] 4 Blow Reed Failures - Is it just me?
To: "Harp-L Harp-L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Saturday, December 20, 2008, 12:14 PM

I am experiencing what seems like an inordinate rate of 4 blow reed failures on
my diatonics (Bushman primarily, and Lee Oskar).  I am finally noting this due
to what I think are two main factors:
 
1)  More hours - Although I have been playing for over 25 years, I have joined
a band and been playing semi-professionally for the last year, so my harps are
seeing more play time overall.  This is not a huge number but in the order of
5-10 hours per week spread over 8+ keys.
 
2)  Bushman Harps - I really like the sound, comfort, and price of the Bushman
Delta Frosts but out of 6 that I have bought over the last 8 months or so I have
had 3 4B reeds fail within a few weeks to three months of play time.  Has anyone
else been experiencing this problem with Bushman.  My Lee Oskar failures have
taken much longer.
 
I don't feel like the 4B gets nearly the "work-out" that many of
the draw reeds do playing blues.  Is there something about the harmonic
frequency at some keys of 4B that fails faster with brass and phosphor bronze
(my most recent failures are 2 on a Bushman C harp, 1 Bushman F, 1 Lee Oskar
Am).  Is the 4 draw and 4D bending the culprit?  These certainly see more of a
work-out.
 
I have been slowly migrating my harps to the Seydel 1847's and have yet to
have any tuning or reed failure issues with the stainless steel reeds over the
last 6-8 months of use.  Although the 1847's sound a little
"mellow" to my ears for my blues playing preference, this reed failure
experience may seal the deal for me continuing on exclusively with Seydel even
with the price being 3X.  I really love the fit and feel of the 1847's.
 
Any insights and experiences from the community would be appreciated.
 
Thanks, Glenn._______________________________________________
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