Sorry if this has been addressed somewhere else, but I haven’t been able to find it. I’m still new (playing for 1 month). I have an East Top Free Blues C Harmonica. When I first got it, everything sounded fine. Then about 2 weeks into it, my -1 started to sound off, almost muffled. I’ve tried various cleaning methods, mouth shape techniques. Nothing seems to really work well. What I have noticed is that if I breath in through my nose (in-gassing is it?) while playing -1, it gives a better sound, but still sounds a bit off. Any ideas/suggestions on potential fixes? Is it a technique issue, or an instrument issue?
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I can’t really tell if it’s your technique or a harmonica issue. I can tell you that I clean my harps with hydrogen peroxide once a month and they sound better after.
I heard contrasting stories about Eastop, other people had issues with some notes on them, and some say they stink or that they have sharp edges.
Next time save the extra 10$ and buy a better harmonica.
In the meantime you can take it apart and figure out if you can fix it.
Ciao
Stefano 
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Welcome @sjdances you’re gunna like it here
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Thanks @Stefano. For now I’ll just keep dealing with it while im learning, maybe keep trying different fixes, save a few bucks and get a good quality harp.
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You could try reducing your airflow and try what @Luke calls deep relaxed mouth position. Diaphragmatic breathing helps too.
Stefano
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Welcome You are not the first person to have this issue. A harp tech told me to make the volume of air in your mouth as large as you can and draw easily. Make sure your reed is closed enough. I play it in a tune or two and it is light and note something I could rush. A bend on it sounds like a ship coming into harbor and sounding the whistle. Not very nice. It is the far end of the harp, both, are to be played lightly. I took the B O B and was not any good at playing the -8. He mentioned use the amount of air that would make a lite candle flicker but not go out. One of the best things I got out of it. It seems the little things are the ones that make a big difference. Could not finish the last portion of the coarse as my P C died. I got of one the right track out of it and this is exactly wanted. I wanted. Hope this help[s.
Thanks @scott4, I’ll keep working at it.
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Yes, probably technique! Keep relaxing everything as much as possible. Less is more.
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3 comments, neither of which might help your situation but I sometimes play East Top harps (but I have worked on them) and they play very well. And, I generally never breathe in from my nose while drawing in from my mouth. It tends to fill up my lungs too fast and lessens the control I have over the sound of draw notes. Also, only playing for a month don’t get discouraged as your technique will most likely improve for years to come
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Thank you for the encouragement. I will keep at it!
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I do not like it either. only way I can play it is max out the volume of air you have in your mouth when starting to play it and do it lightly. I gap this reed as close as I can. It seems my Bb is the best harp I have to play it. Use of my diaphragm helps.
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