3firstnames
2 posts
Feb 06, 2009
6:40 PM
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Just picked up a set of suzuki Bluesmasters to replace the lee oskars that were tearing my lips up. I'm much happier with the suzuki's, by the way. Anyways, I started to learn Way Down in the Delta today on the D and I'm having trouble bending the 4 hole without considerable force. It seems strange as I can do all the bends on most keys fairly well now and the D in particular is pretty easy to bend the 2 and 3 holes.
Is the 4 hole bend on a D always hard to bend? Does it just need to be worked in a bit? Any ideas?
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gorignak
12 posts
Feb 06, 2009
7:11 PM
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When I bend the 4 hole on a D it's pretty similar to bending the 6 hole on a C, it's more in my tongue control.
But "breaking it in" does help. Also you could try to loosen the reed, Adam talks about it in one of his earlier youtube videos (0.16).
Last Edited by on Feb 06, 2009 7:11 PM
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kudzurunner
272 posts
Feb 06, 2009
7:39 PM
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Yes, if I were confronted by a harp with that problem--and I am, regularly--I'd carefully open it up and I'd massage the 4 draw reed open just a hair, using an ATM slip (i.e., thin paper, doubled over) or a torn piece of looseleaf paper (NOT doubled over) or a business card (probably too thick). Just a wee bit. That will have a major impact on the ease with which you can bend the reed. But don't do it too much.
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3firstnames
3 posts
Feb 06, 2009
10:36 PM
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Thanks guys, appreciate the help. I'll give it a try.
Is the need to fine tune new harps a common occurrence?
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harmonicanick
129 posts
Feb 07, 2009
1:14 AM
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In my opinion it is not common.
I play Golden Melodies and I have never had to adjust from new, maybe i've been lucky.
I always try them out in the shop where i buy, after paying of course, and if there was a problem they would change the harmonica there and then.
So just make sure you can bend 2,3 & 4 particularily before you leave.
If you are buying on-line then you can't do that of course, but most vendors will be sympathetic if there is a problem.
Why were the lee oskars tearing your lips up? You must be clamping your lips around the harp a bit too hard, ease up and relax. Look after your lips. There is nothing wrong with LO's, I have plenty of those as well:-)
Last Edited by on Feb 07, 2009 1:47 AM
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Andrew
98 posts
Feb 07, 2009
1:44 AM
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My D is OK. It's my F that needs special care if I'm to hit the 4 draw bent. Since my 4th or 5th harp I've always stripped my harps after the first few gentle blows to see which notes won't sound readily. Up until now all I've done is adjust gaps, but now I've started practising embossing on my Bb 1-2-3-4 draw holes. I don't want to go as far as embossing the blow holes, because they need it less, IMO, but someone correct me if they think I'm wrong.
Last Edited by on Feb 07, 2009 1:48 AM
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3firstnames
4 posts
Feb 07, 2009
12:25 PM
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It was the corner that was doing the damage when playing the 1 hole draw. I like how the suzuki's play and sound over the LO's too.
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