[Harp-L] Drinks and playing harmonica

[Leonard Schwartzberg]

Ian:   Good evening.   I'm a level 1, intermediate player with some very definite ideas as to gunk and drinking.  I play mostly Seydel Session Steels, and need to be particularly careful, as they are well sealed and allow for very little air leakage, therefore easily get sticky reeds.   A.   Clean your harp always and continually.  i.e.  slap the spit out on your pantleg often; when you put the harp in your pocket, make sure it's the pocket without the bubblegum, peanuts, or leftover tuna sandwich; do lots of glissandos, both inhaling and exhaling, that's a quick way (as you're playing) to clean the instrument, and perhaps provide an interesting texture to your music; after each session, dunk the harp (diatonic) into some warm water, I use an instant coffee jar with the lid on so I can shake it baby, shake it, and then take out, slap it, and let dry.  B.  Drink water.   In case you're asking if you should rinse out your mouth after drinking, re-read the start of this answer.  Drink water.  C.  I find drinking W-A-T-E-R, W-A-T-E-R, W-A-T-E-R never seems to affect my harmonicas, lowers my blood pressure, is good for my arthritis, keeps me thin, young, and handsome, and gives my harps a better tone.  Hope this helps to keep your reeds clean.   Leonard

-----Original Message-----
From: Harp-L [mailto:harp-l-bounces at xxxxx] On Behalf Of ian osborn
Sent: Saturday, January 21, 2017 5:54 PM
To: Harp L
Subject: [Harp-L] Drinks and playing harmonica

Quick poll question for everyone..

When out jamming or gigging and having a drink and then playing the harp,
what do people feel?? In the sense of getting gunk and stuff into the reeds
etc..

A. Don't worry, just clean your harp later??

B. Whatever you drink, make sure to have a glass of water nearby to for
when you play to rinse out your mouth a bit

C. I find drinking (fill in the blank) never seems to affect my
harmonicas...

Thoughts???

Ian


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