Re: [Harp-L] harp-tech, where to start

[Mike Price <mikerockin@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Disclaimer: I'm not a harp tech but I do have over 20 years playing, braking and fixing them. 

I would say the #1 maintenance thing I do is take them apart from time to time.
One reason to do this is to remove a food/mouth particle blocking a reed from sounding. I also will, occasionally, remove the cover and reed plates* every 6months or so and clean everything with a soft cloth. 

*some harps have nails holding down the reed plates which makes removal a real pain. There are some excellent youtube videos that show how to replace the nails with screws. 

*** Mike 
On Jan 8, 2013, at 9:02 PM, Eric Miller <miller.eric.t@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> I have your book winslow (an earlier ed.) I'll check to see if it has that
> chapter.
> 
> I guess what might be helpful is a short list of "important topics".  As a
> beginner, we don't really know what tasks are super important, and which
> ones are just "icing on the cake".  I don't know if gapping is critical
> and/or flat sanding reed plates is trivial (or vice versa), half valving,
> reed embossing, etc etc.
> 
> Like for guitar players I would say "the main four things  you need to know
> to adjust your guitar are
> -how to tune it,
> -how to adjust the action
> - how to adjust the intonation
> - and how adjust the truss rod
> 
> If you can do those four things, the other stuff is small potatoes.  Don't
> worry about dressing frets, graphite saddles, or locking tuners...that
> stuff is details compared to those four things.
> 
> what are "the big four" (or two or 11) for the harmonica (and what
> techniques should be steered clear of due to complexity or lack of real
> benefit)
> 
> 
> On Tue, Jan 8, 2013 at 8:08 PM, Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>wrote:
> 
>> My book, Harmonica For Dummies, has a chapter on basic repair and
>> customization, geared toward the novice at taking a harmonica apart and
>> doing things to it.
>> 
>> 
>> http://www.amazon.com/Harmonica-For-Dummies-Winslow-Yerxa/dp/047033729X/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y
>> 
>> Harp tech Richard Sleigh sells a set of harmonica tools and a book on
>> tuning, with some basic advice on gapping:
>> 
>> http://rsleigh.com/turbocharge-your-harmonica/
>> 
>> 
>> 
>> Winslow Yerxa
>> Author, Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
>>            Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS
>>            Blues Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7
>> Resident Harmonica Expert, bluesharmonica.com
>> Instructor, Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance
>> 
>> 
>> ________________________________
>> From: Eric Miller <miller.eric.t@xxxxxxxxx>
>> To: Harp-L <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
>> Sent: Tuesday, January 8, 2013 12:38 PM
>> Subject: [Harp-L] harp-tech, where to start
>> 
>> For someone who wants to educate themselves on the requisite harp tech
>> concepts/skills, where is a good place (website/book/etc) to start?
>> 
>> I don't want to become an expert or customizer, right now I'm focusing on
>> practicing and developing my playing/repertoire.  That said, I'd  like to
>> be able to maintain my own instruments, and tweak them as needed.  For
>> example, I can get consistent overblows on the 7 and 8, but the 9 and 10
>> are elusive...I'm thinking there's something I can do to make those holes
>> bend to my will a bit more.
>> 
>> It's becoming apparent to me with all the jargon (half-valving, ebossing,
>> etc.) that gets thrown around in casual harp conversation, that learning
>> these things isn't really an option....so I might as well start learnin'.
>>