[Harp-L] Rambling, Long-winded post

["Robert Laughlin" <harmonicaman1968@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I think one's favorite harp, taken by itself, not in relation to which harp is used most in any particular band or unique song situation, but rather, simply "your favorite harp", can change from week to week, month to month, year to year.

I recall, when I first started, I was usually carrying an A harp, a D harp, and Bb harp, all Marine Bands or Blues Harps tuned in major diatonic by Hohner. I think they cost me around 3-4 bucks each, back then.

I found the lower reeds of the A challenging for a beginning bender, requiring more air, or better technique, which I didn't have, so I didn't typically choose that harp to play, when I chanced upon opportunities to play solo, whether it be on a brick wall at the beach or at school, in between classes. In fact, I only had an A because I also played acoustic guitar while I wandered my hippie haunts in L.A., growing up. The A harp was useful to me, playing 2nd pos in the key of E, the "root key" (if you can call it that) of a guitar fingerboard.

But then, I discovered the D harp, and how often I could find great bands playing great songs in the key of A, 2nd pos for the D harp, so again, very useful. Plus, the reeds were much easier to play. I consider that the D harp, or maybe the Db (I've never owned one, so I'm postulating here,,), is right at that point of playability vs. tone that suits my taste.

However, I also recall having simply loved the way the Bb sounded. Maybe it was set up better, maybe it was the key, but the tones I hit on that Bb were often my favorites, though I remember ruining that when I began to soak my harps. The wood responded poorly, and my harps always seemed to go "dead" after a few soakings. I can't exactly say why, but I think it also was due to having to trim the comb so as not to cut my lips on it when it was swollen, when wet. Then, when the comb dried out and shrunk back to its original size, the wind leakage was fairly immense, so maybe that's also part of it.

But wow,,discovering the plastic comb,,what a wonderful invention. No more swollen comb, no more bleeding lips.

Now, when I hear people talking about their favorite key, it reminds me of how often that assessment has changed, for me. Right now, I'm favoring two keys, my G (not high) and my Ab. I love what I'm getting from these two, tonally, because my playing has changed over the years. Now, I tend to play fewer notes, not trying so hard for quantity as much as quality, and "working" those notes, just like a blues singer works his/her notes, and phrasing. It's much more important to me today to really feel as if I got a lot out of each note, rather than just "hitting them" on the fly to say I've done it. Sometimes I feel as if I could play an entire song using just the first 3 holes, and maybe the next two, but going up to the high notes often just feels as if it's a display, to merely show that I "can". I love those low, bluesy notes, just lolling under the shade tree of life. Lots of feeling there. I've yet to develop the skill needed to make those higher registers have the same feeling.

But back to favorites. I recall someone recently saying that they just never could enjoy the F harp. I also didn't initially like the higher keys, and I think it had something to do with whether the reeds were well set up, or just not broken in yet. I recall an F that you couldn't hardly draw bend the 2 hole, it was so stiff. I just muscled into it, and after a while, got it broken in enough to bend consistently. Plus, I think my bending skills have improved over the years, so there really isn't much that I can't bend at this point, that is, draw bend. I don't really think I'm too interested at this point in whether or not I can overblow or overbend. I hate to think that I'm torturing my harps just to say I can do it,,lol.

Actually, that F harp became my favorite harp, or one of them, for a while. Yeah, it's high notes, but there are times when those high notes can wail and convey feeling just like the lower ones.

But finally, I have to admit that another factor in what becomes my favorite has to do with economy. I can't always afford to run out and buy another harp or reedplate. Or,, maybe I'm just cheap, and end up spending my "harp money" on wifey's haircut or shoes, or Kohl's payment, or something blameable to someone other than myself,,LOL.

But practically speaking, what you HAVE, whatever WORKS ("works" in all its forms and meanings, that is, for you), THAT's mostly what becomes your favorite. So, my G and Ab harps, being the only ones now having all reeds working, (except for the E harp, which I'm not fond of, for some reason. It's a Hohner Pro, black anodized covers, which mute the sound a little. It's a good harp, but I just haven't used it much. Maybe it's the tuning. I'm not sure)

Finally, maybe I'm a bit of an egalitarian. I like to exercise all of my harps equally, when given the chance. When I practice, I practice on all of my working harps, one after the other, from low to high, or high to low in key. The ones that seem to resonate the best, both in my ears and in my being, they become "favorites", at least temporarily.

Now if I just put some effort into studying repairs and customization techniques, I might eventually be able to create my favorite harp, or "favoritize" my harps, one after another. Then, maybe all of my harps can be favorites, and envy and jealousy will be banished from the realm,,, ahem,, thanks for listening. Talk amongst yourselves.

Ramblin' Bob, of the great state of Southern California

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