[Harp-L] Harmonica Cleaner

[Matthew Smart <matthewsmart@xxxxxxxxx>]

In regards to posts about harmonica cleaning, we now offer a hands free
harmonica cleaner that uses soundwaves, warm water to clean most parts
including reeds, plastic/corian combs, covers etc. Its not something we
invented, but discovered when researching how to clean machine
parts/medical tools etc. I really can't believe how good it works. Plus, it
actually helps clean out burrs from reedslots as well. I find a lot of
sticky reed problems due to the saliva build up and whatever that green
stuff is. This takes care of it in 3-8 minutes. Just don't put your wood
combs in there. I did a video on this, but going to do a new one where I
serve up some reedplates with alfredo cream sauce and then clean them after
in the cleaner. ha ha

Rockin Ron and I both offer them. www.harptools.com

On Mon, Apr 2, 2012 at 6:49 PM, <harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

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> Today's Topics:
>
>   1. Re: Classic hooks WAS: Re: [Harp-L] positions you can use on
>      diatonic (Ken Hildebrand)
>   2. Once upon a time in the West (Massimo Pettenello)
>   3. Re: Classic hooks WAS: Re: [Harp-L] positions you can use on
>      diatonic (Cara Cooke)
>   4. Basics of harp cleaning (Al Mizenko)
>   5. Re: Basics of harp cleaning (David Payne)
>   6. Keys you need & positions (Jim Rumbaugh)
>   7. Re: Wireless Mic (Garry)
>   8. Re: Keys you need (Cara Cooke)
>   9. Re: Keys you need (Steve York)
>  10. Re: Basics of harp cleaning (Robert Hale)
>  11. RE: Basics of harp cleaning (Steve Shaw)
>
>
> ----------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Message: 1
> Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2012 14:16:08 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Ken Hildebrand <airmojoken@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: Classic hooks WAS: Re: [Harp-L] positions you can use on
>        diatonic
> To: Robert Hale <robert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Cc: harp-L list <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Message-ID:
>        <1333401368.69193.YahooMailNeo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> The old childrens' thing "Nah nah nah nah nah nah" always gets people's
> attention...
>
> And the lick that goes with "Davey... Davey Crockett... King of the wild
> frontier".
>
> So that extrapolates to other popular TV theme songs...  so
> recognizable... depending on the age group...
>
> Ken H in OH
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: Robert Hale <robert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: Cara Cooke <cyberharp@xxxxxxxxx>
> Cc: harp-L list <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Monday, April 2, 2012 3:45 PM
> Subject: Classic hooks WAS: Re: [Harp-L] positions you can use on diatonic
>
> On Mon, Apr 2, 2012 at 9:50 AM, Cara Cooke <cyberharp@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > played the theme from "The Flintstones"
> >
>
> Somewhere in the night, I'll try to drop in a short  familiar hook, and see
> who catches it.
>
> Sly Stone, Be Mice Elf  (the repeating octave riff)
> Low Rider (of course)
> Leo Sayer, You Know I Can Dance
>
> What are yours?
>
>
> Robert Hale
>
> See you at SPAH12
>
> Learn Harmonica by Webcam
>
> Low Rates, High Success
>
> http://www.youtube.com/DUKEofWAIL
>
> http://www.dukeofwail.com
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 2
> Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2012 22:20:22 +0100 (BST)
> From: Massimo Pettenello <greenbullet@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] Once upon a time in the West
> To: "harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Message-ID:
>        <1333401622.85087.YahooMailNeo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
>
> Is there anyone outhere who can tell me exactly what harmonica was holding
> Charles Bronson in "Once upon a time in the West"?
> And most of all is it the same one Henry Fonda pulls out of his pocket?
> I never found the truth in over 30 years!! Thank you!!
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 3
> Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2012 16:49:02 -0500
> From: Cara Cooke <cyberharp@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: Classic hooks WAS: Re: [Harp-L] positions you can use on
>        diatonic
> To: harp-L list <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Message-ID:
>        <CAAo+jiMMesF0npT_krOekX45yV_CHjP3H+gD-uw3vfh9ocBwqw@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> A very common one of these found in bluegrass is a snippet from "Sailor's
> Hornpipe" (Popeye's tune).  Everyone knows it and it fits so well in many
> places.
>
>
> On Mon, Apr 2, 2012 at 4:16 PM, Ken Hildebrand <airmojoken@xxxxxxxxx>
> wrote:
>
> > The old childrens' thing "Nah nah nah nah nah nah" always gets people's
> > attention...
> >
> > And the lick that goes with "Davey... Davey Crockett... King of the wild
> > frontier".
> >
> > So that extrapolates to other popular TV theme songs...  so
> > recognizable... depending on the age group...
> >
> > Ken H in OH
> >
> >
> > ________________________________
> > From: Robert Hale <robert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> > To: Cara Cooke <cyberharp@xxxxxxxxx>
> > Cc: harp-L list <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> > Sent: Monday, April 2, 2012 3:45 PM
> > Subject: Classic hooks WAS: Re: [Harp-L] positions you can use on
> diatonic
> >
> > On Mon, Apr 2, 2012 at 9:50 AM, Cara Cooke <cyberharp@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> >
> > > played the theme from "The Flintstones"
> > >
> >
> > Somewhere in the night, I'll try to drop in a short  familiar hook, and
> see
> > who catches it.
> >
> > Sly Stone, Be Mice Elf  (the repeating octave riff)
> > Low Rider (of course)
> > Leo Sayer, You Know I Can Dance
> >
> > What are yours?
> >
> >
> > Robert Hale
> >
> > See you at SPAH12
> >
> > Learn Harmonica by Webcam
> >
> > Low Rates, High Success
> >
> > http://www.youtube.com/DUKEofWAIL
> >
> > http://www.dukeofwail.com
> >
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 4
> Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2012 14:58:41 -0700 (PDT)
> From: Al Mizenko <almiz111@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] Basics of harp cleaning
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID:
>        <93fa7452-26ef-4bf1-ae59-2b8c60d67331@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Hello Harp Lovers,
> Did some research/reading but still need basics.
>
> My harp seems to get a film inside the square holes. So I try to
> gently scrape (ouch) them out. I always rinse before playing. I always
> whack the moisture out when done.
>
> 1. What tools do you use = Qtips, Qtip wooden stick, etc??
> 2. Materials = water, Windex ?????
> 3. At what point do you disassemble for cleaning purposes?
>
> Thanks,
> Al
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 5
> Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2012 15:17:50 -0700 (PDT)
> From: David Payne <dave@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Basics of harp cleaning
> To: Harp L Harp L <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Message-ID:
>        <1333405070.38066.YahooMailNeo@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
> For god's sakes don't use Q tips. You'll regret it (although I'm sure
> somebody uses them) and I'd be nervous about fibers on the stick, too.
> Reeds don't like it when those cotton fibers get stuck in the slot. Just
> rinse it out, tap it and out and you're done. You shouldn't be playing with
> a dirty mouth anyway, so all the gunk will be saliva. Saliva dissolves
> easy. Just rinse it out, tap it out, air dry.
>
> David
> www.elkriverharmonicas.com
>
>
> ________________________________
>  From: Al Mizenko <almiz111@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Monday, April 2, 2012 5:58 PM
> Subject: [Harp-L] Basics of harp cleaning
>
> Hello Harp Lovers,
> Did some research/reading but still need basics.
>
> My harp seems to get a film inside the square holes. So I try to
> gently scrape (ouch) them out. I always rinse before playing. I always
> whack the moisture out when done.
>
> 1. What tools do you use = Qtips, Qtip wooden stick, etc??
> 2. Materials = water, Windex ?????
> 3. At what point do you disassemble for cleaning purposes?
>
> Thanks,
> Al
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 6
> Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2012 18:33:10 -0400
> From: Jim Rumbaugh <jrumbaug@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] Keys you need & positions
> To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Message-ID: <6950259AE7B84073A8F03BD765EC4269@blacky>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
> OK
>
> Heres something to combine the 2 most recent popular topics.
> 1) Playing positions
> 2) what harps to buy after A & C
>
> Buy an E flat and F# so you can play in every key  :)
>
>  All keys with A...C.Ed.F#
>
> 12th position D...F...Ad.B.
> straight harp A...C.Ed.F#..
> cross harp... E.G...Bd.C#..
>
> Disclaimer, please do not follow my advice. This was just to be
> humourous/instructive.
> If you only have 2 harps, I would be surprised if you would be comfortable
> with this arrangement.
> I know I wouldn't
> nor would I buy an E flat and F# next.
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:46:10 -0400
> From: Garry <harp@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Wireless Mic
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID: <4F7A2C32.2060004@xxxxxxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
>
> On 04/02/2012 10:28 AM, Timothy Kane wrote:
> > I've only used a wireless twice in the time I've been playing. I used a
> Shure SM58 wireless vocal for a short while to solo clean on a signtaure
> song of mine and to bop around in the crowd while I was doing it. It worked
> well, but it belongs to my bandleader, and he wasn't wild about buying
> batteries for it.
>
> recharegeables are the way to go.  the samson takes a single AAA, and i
> replace it every other
> week or so if just practicing and doing open mics.  in the event it runs
> out while playing, i can
> swap in a new one in seconds.  i always put a fresh one before a gig,
> just in case.
>
> --
> We make a living from what we get,
> but we make a life from what we give.
> - Kathy Moser
>
>
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 8
> Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2012 18:22:12 -0500
> From: Cara Cooke <cyberharp@xxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Keys you need
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID:
>        <CAAo+jiO+8YH5sqHznX9=t8MzkRfz4Lu9aOrofeEdRfcawsgXbQ@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Ok.  You have at least on A, G, and C.  The very next thing to buy is a D,
> absolutely.  That gives you full or nearly full coverage in the first four
> positions for the keys of A/Am, G, D/Dm, and E/Em, with an ability to play
> in C, as well.  You can do a lot of damage in country and blues with these
> four harmonicas.
>
> I would not worry too much about my D not lasting long, either.  If you
> have never had one, you have no idea how long it will last.  My D's last me
> a long time and get a lot of use.  You will have to try it and find out if
> it will last or not.
>
> Country music tends to stay in the keys of G, A, C, D, and E, with an
> occasional F or Bb.  (It sometimes depends on what region you are in as to
> the keys beyond the first 5.)  The main reason for the first four keys is
> the instruments and men's voices.  (If the voices available sing in other
> keys, then you will need to get harmonicas to suit.)  However, men love to
> sing country in E, too, especially if they do any Merle Travis picking.  In
> Texas, fiddlers enjoy the challenges and opportunities in F, and
> occasionally Bb; and if any bluegrass sneaks in, you might as well add B to
> the list of keys for songs.
>
> So, the next harmonica I would choose is an F (possibly a low F, if
> microphones are involved).  This is mainly because Winslow said that F
> works well for blues, too.  Country fiddlers (especially those in
> Texas) love to play "Beaumont Rag" in the key of F, and sometimes
> "Panhandle Rag".  Singers will even capo up one to sing in F, because E was
> lower than they wanted.  One thing about it, an F would cover the keys of
> F, C, Gm, and Dm, so it backs the other harmonicas up well and offers a
> wide range of choices, even if a reed goes bad during the session.
>
> The last harmonica is going to be a matter of preference.  E would be my
> choice, but Bb is good, too.  I would choose E because a lot of country
> music gets played in E and only some of it will work well in 2nd position
> (crossharp).  Some of it will sound better and be easier to play in 1st
> position (straightharp).  Having both an A and E will allow you to choose
> which position you want to play.
>
> However, a Bb may be a good choice if you are playing more blues than
> country, for the reasons stated by Winslow.
>
> As for "Orange Blossom Special", if you are playing with other string
> musicians, especially a fiddler (since it was designed for the fiddle), you
> will get no use out of an F or Bb.  Fiddlers play the tune in the keys of E
> and A.  Only Charlie McCoy played it in those other keys.  (When you are
> the star, you get to choose the keys.)  So, unless it is a harmonica
> showpiece, rather than a fiddle showpiece, you will need your A harmonica,
> and possibly your D, if you don't wish to play both keys on the same
> harmonica.  Generally speaking, I get by right nicely on an A harmonica.
>
> So, my suggestion would be to purchase a D, F, and E (or Bb, if you are
> expecting to play more blues than country).
>
> Cara
>
>
> On Mon, Apr 2, 2012 at 1:44 PM, Tony Stephens <tnysteph@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > If you could buy 3 harps what 3 keys would you want to have. Prices are
> > going up at Bushman. I have a C by them. I have a A & G by Lee Oskar and
> a
> > C special 20. So my question is which 2 keys by Bushman for playing
> country
> > and blues?
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 9
> Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2012 18:30:54 -0500
> From: Steve York <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: [Harp-L] Re: Keys you need
> To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID:
>        <CANpnAQGH+Rs3AzGj2hrWuk+ginFivWaJx6vHGBLXUovoUYwdrA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> Blues guitarists tend to favour A and E. Keyboard players prefer C and G.
> So, for blues, harps in D, A, F and C are priority.
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 10
> Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2012 16:35:06 -0700
> From: Robert Hale <robert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Basics of harp cleaning
> To: Al Mizenko <almiz111@xxxxxxxxx>
> Cc: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> Message-ID:
>        <CAMLFfH406AgBYm_Sj1TUCO4gBEUi+d3TRCjL8yOtdP-NShTwRg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> >
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> On Mon, Apr 2, 2012 at 2:58 PM, Al Mizenko <almiz111@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> > My harp seems to get a film inside the square holes.
>
>
> Dry stiff toothbrush. Flick out away from harp.
> Blow into the back and see the particles fly out the front!
>
>
> Robert Hale
>
> See you at SPAH12
>
> Learn Harmonica by Webcam
>
> Low Rates, High Success
>
> http://www.youtube.com/DUKEofWAIL
>
> http://www.dukeofwail.com
>
>
> ------------------------------
>
> Message: 11
> Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2012 00:40:11 +0100
> From: Steve Shaw <moorcot@xxxxxxx>
> Subject: RE: [Harp-L] Basics of harp cleaning
> To: harp-l harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Message-ID: <SNT145-W11494FD8D36AD7E4D0A2004A24C0@xxxxxxx>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
>
>
>
> > For god's sakes don't use Q tips. You'll regret it (although I'm sure
> somebody uses them) and I'd be nervous about fibers on the stick, too.
> Reeds don't like it when those cotton fibers get stuck in the slot. Just
> rinse it out, tap it and out and you're done. You shouldn't be playing with
> a dirty mouth anyway, so all the gunk will be saliva. Saliva dissolves
> easy. Just rinse it out, tap it out, air dry.
> >
> > David
> > www.elkriverharmonicas.com
>  Agreed about using anything fibrous. If you're determined to stroke the
> reeds with anything, stroke from the rivet end only. Over the years (and
> this is passing on my honest experience, not advice), I've found that
> washing out my harps after every long pub session, using a goodly stream of
> warm, not hot, water, followed by a good shaking and tapping out, keeps my
> harps sounding bright and responsive and does not shorten their lives at
> all. I do let them dry out overnight before putting them away. I do this
> with any harp that is all plastic and metal but never with any harp
> containing valves. I even do it to Hohner MS harps with wood combs, which
> don't swell. I do not do it to old-style Hohners with that swelling
> pearwood, and I once destroyed the comb of an Echo with just one quick
> wash. :-(  I don't play chroms much, and I only get inside them if a reed
> or valve is hassling me. I clean the slide by holding the beast
> mouthpiece-down in shallow hot water and working the slid!
>  e back and forth. I keep the harp that way up until it's had a good
> shake-out. I never lubricate the slide and I never have sticky slide
> problems. Doing what I do, I rarely get that horrid crud build-up in the
> mouthpiece holes. Agreed also about playing with a clean mouth, though I
> tend to regard a beery mouth as a clean mouth...
>
> End of Harp-L Digest, Vol 104, Issue 9
> **************************************
>



-- 
Matthew Smart
matthewsmart@xxxxxxxxx
678-851-1434