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

["Joe Spiers" <joemopar@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

The root cause of your problem is bending the note too far down in pitch, 
probably with too much force at the same time. It's physically impossible to 
bend the note below a certain point- and that point happens to be very, very 
flat (as much as 50 cents) in pitch from the "correct" bent 4 draw pitch. So 
it's not only hard on your harps, but what you're playing potentially sounds
out of tune anyway.

Rather than the common lecture on breath pressure, I suggest that you examine 
the common licks you use on that hole. You should be able to adjust your 
technique (and/or ultimately, note choice) to prevent this reed failure (which 
is one of the most common reed failures I see as a technician). Try to 
accurately aim for the "correct" bent note- then at least it will have 
somewhere to go when playing harder, or while expressing feeling.

If you always suck it down to the "floor" of the bend and wail on it by 
default, it's simply more stress than the reeds can tolerate. It's just a 
delicate little strip of brass. A little strip of stainless might last longer, 
but it's not solving the problem.

Joe Spiers
http://www.spiersharmonicas.com





 ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Glenn and Debbie Woodhouse" <gwoodhouse40@xxxxxxx>
> To: "Harp-L Harp-L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2008 2:14 PM
> Subject: [Harp-L] 4 Blow Reed Failures - Is it just me?
>
>
>
> I am experiencing what seems like an inordinate rate of 4 blow reed failures 
> on my diatonics (Bushman primarily, and Lee Oskar).

-snip-