I’m going quietly crazy atm; I’ve recently bought three G harps from three makers (Hohner Special 20, Fender Blues Deluxe and East Top T008K) and all have problems that I never had around 20 years ago when I settled on Lee Oscars.
The SP20 and East Top are both 15-20 points sharp on the G notes. Plus I cannot draw the 3rd hole on them, despite having no problems on any other hole. The draw chokes badly or doesn’t play at all. The Fender is the most in tune, tho I can’t draw on the 3rd on it either.
Now, you’ll be reasonably be thinking that it’s me, my technique (or lack thereof) but I’ve been playing for 30-odd years on and off, albeit with a pretty lengthy break until recently. I’ve never had issues with out-of-tune harps and have always been fine with draws on all holes. (My music almost always calls for a G tho sometimes I use a D or an A. I realise that G is usually the lowest standard key - apart from low F which I’ve also used without a problem.)
So what’s the deal? How can a new Hohner be that sharp?? I’m running out of options since I use harp with guitar. I’ve ordered yet another brand to try my luck. I’d really like some input here please.
Hey @Steve_C welcome to the forum! Yeah I think most harmonicas are tuned a bit sharp because they will go a bit flat when you play them hard.
If I had to bet $100, I’d guess the -3 is a technique issue, especially since you’ve had a nice long break of no playing. Think about these ideas:
1.) Let gravity lower your jaw so that it’s totally relaxed and in a nice “uh” or “ah” vowel shape, your teeth should be far apart from each other
2.) Keep the back of your tongue down, like it is when you yawn. Make sure it’s not in the “Kk” zone (how your tongue is when you say a “Kk” consonant.)
3.) Nice steady, GENTLE, airflow. Most beginners (and many intermediate and advanced players) use WAY to much pressure.
Overall, the main thing is play very relaxed inside of your mouth.
Thanks for your reply. Man, I wish it were a technique thing. So I could fix it. But I only have this issue with -3 and only on recently-bought G harps. I have zero problems with my A and C - which are just lowly Fender Blues Deluxes - on all draws. I can bend virtually every draw on any harmonica I have/had except for these new Gs. Of the 5 harps (by 4 brands) I have in front of me, each one chokes on the -3. Every other hole draw is easy-peasy. How can my technique only be an issue for -3? And why now when it hasn’t been in the past? I wish I had my trusty Lee Oscar but I left it in Mexico. (A blues song right there!)
Hello, I’m a relatively new harp player and four weeks after purchasing my first one, s20C, I had that thing in pieces and went to work messing around with the reeds.
Sure, that one has 2 missing reeds now but the insights gained from applying what I learned from harp techs on youtube are invaluable.
I get it, you shouldn’t have to muck about with zero points, break points and gaps, after all it is a brand new instrument. Still, if you want them to work learn how to adjust the reeds and as far as I’m concerned everyone should know how to tune their harp for bendability, tone and timbre because those skills upped my understanding of how the harp works and therefore how to play it by orders of magnitude.
Ummm….You should never have to remove reeds to gap them. They just need a gentle nudge to optimize them, which is done by pushing the reed near the base.
