[Harp-L] Newby here

[Lynn wemmer]

I'm a nurse and I've been thinkinng about the  anatomy of the smaller
diameter female airway vs the larger male airway. Is it logical to expect a
petit airway to get different results than a larger airway?

On Mar 6, 2017 9:17 AM, "Michael Rubin" <michaelrubinharmonica at xxxxx>
wrote:

> Lynn,
> Is it a 10 hole harmonica in the key of C?
>
> If so, does 3 draw not sound at all or does it produce a flat sound?
>
> If it does not sound at all something is restricting the reed. Open up the
> cover plates. The draw reed is on the bottom of the harp. The lower pitches
> are the longer reeds. Look at reed 3 and see if there is a piece of fizz
> restricting it. Pull it away.
>
> Whether or not there is a restricting item place your fingernail under the
> tip of the reed and plink the reed. Does it make a musical sound?  Whether
> or not it does, plink softly 40 times. If at the end of the 40 plinks you
> are not hearing a musical sound something is wrong with the reed that can
> be fixed with more advanced mechanical work but let's only go there if need
> be.
>
> Another option which I would recommend in any case would be to buy a
> second C harp. Any harp over $35 should be fine. Do not be surprised if
> this solves the problem.
>
> If you are experiencing a lower pitch than you want ( anything lower than
> the note B on a free smart phone app tuner) welcome to the club. Unless you
> are an unusual beginner this will be your first big humo for learning.
> Remember it is pnormal and almost everyone experiences this. Expect 3 to 6
> months to work through this issue.   You may get a nice sound today but I
> am taking anout consistently nice.
>
> There is a technique in the harmonica world called bending which means to
> lower the pitch by altering your embouhure. Because you are a beginner you
> have a beginner's embochure and therefore are likely to unintentionally
> bend.
>
> The basic physics of bending say if yoi constrict the airflow the note
> will go lower in pitch. You therefore need to deconstrict
>
> Lower your jaw.
>
> Lower and flatten your tongue.
>
> Width is the opening of your mouth from cheek to cheek. Keep a narrow
> width. Say the hard E sound.
>
> Imagine a balloon in your forehead. Send the air to the forehead.
>
> i hope this helps.
> Michael Rubin
> Michaelrubinharmonica.com
>
>
>
> On Mon, Mar 6, 2017 at 6:51 AM, Lynn wemmer <fitwoman56 at xxxxx> wrote:
>
> Thanks, Michelle.  I'll definitely check it out!!
>
> On Mar 6, 2017 7:26 AM, "Michelle LeFree" <mlefree at xxxxx>
> wrote:
>
> > Lynn wemmermwrote:
> >
> > Hello everyone.  I sure could use your help.  I've been playing the
> >> harmonica since December.  I've practiced everyday but one.  But even
> with
> >> all this dedication I'm having trouble with the 3 draw.  Once in awhile
> I
> >> get lucky and hit it but there's no consistency.  Any helpful advice
> would
> >> be much appreciated.
> >>
> >
> > You would benefit greatly if you'd learn to gap your reeds, also called
> > adjusting the reed offset.
> >
> > Here's video one in a series in which Joe Spiers,one of today's top
> > harmonica technicians shows how.
> >
> > https://youtu.be/Rh79GaDVmC8
> >
> > Here's Steve Baker's installment on adjusting reed offset from Hohner's
> > Service Workshop series.
> >
> > https://youtu.be/12cdfpp2Sg0
> >
> > There are many other Youtube videos on the subject. Search for setting
> > reed gaps or adjusting reed offset (same thing).
> >
> > Greg Jones of Seydel and Andrew Zajac of Hohner also have some excellent
> > how to videos on this and many other related subjects.
> >
> > Good luck and come back if you continue to have problems or questions.
> >
> > Michelle
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>