rabbit
9 posts
Mar 30, 2009
1:54 PM
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Congratulate me, lost my first reed.
Five draw on my GM in'A.
Suddenly failed to sound.
Reed broke near base in response
to gentle gapping effort.
Will keep you posted if I find
USA replacements. I think
the metal just failed.
Lovely harp, only a month old.
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oldwailer
628 posts
Mar 30, 2009
1:59 PM
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RIP, reed. . .
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harmonicanick
217 posts
Mar 30, 2009
2:22 PM
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Losing a reed is not congrats!
It will cost you hard earned money...
Band playing too loud??
GM's dont blow unless you are pushing it..
Do not despair you can get replacement reed plates at half price from your store wherever you are?!
General rule is play in moderation (unless you have a custom harp)
The Pious Convert
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rabbit
10 posts
Mar 30, 2009
4:55 PM
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Thanks folks,
I'm learning!
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JoetheMagician
1 post
Mar 31, 2009
1:08 PM
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I was unaware that you could break a reed. I just had that happen to me. I thought there might be a way to fix it.
Is there? I have not broken or crimped anything. The hole just doesn't draw. It is the second or third harp to go down on me.
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Oisin
160 posts
Mar 31, 2009
2:08 PM
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It will happen quite a lot when you start playing as you learn to control your breath. You tend to try too hard to get bends etc when starting out and this is what causes the reeds to go.
However it might be in your case Joe, if the reed just suddenly stops playing that the reed is stuck with a bit of gunk. Try knocking the harp against your thigh or give a good hard blow and suck to free the reed. If that doesn't work take off the cover plates and see if there's anything stuck in the reed.
Use a thin piece of paper to slide under the reed (be very gentle and don't slide it right up to the rivet)
and then gently lift the reed slightly and let go. It should make a bright sound ...if it makes a dull sound it's probably gone.
As Nick says above you can get replacement reed plates for most harps or you can replace individual reeds but this is a tricky thing to do. Reedplates replacement is much easier.
Oisin
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Oisin
161 posts
Mar 31, 2009
2:09 PM
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Welcome to the forum by the way Joe!
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JoetheMagician
2 posts
Apr 01, 2009
1:50 PM
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Thanks Oisin!! I have tried the paper under the reed and it sounds dull. Very hard to suck, kind of.
I use the marine bands and the reeds are 20 or new harp for 29 I just opt for the new harp.
Is there a better priced reed that I might have over looked?
Thanks again. :)
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Oisin
162 posts
Apr 01, 2009
6:02 PM
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Joe..
Sounds like its dead alright. I used to blow reeds al the time when I started but as you get more control of your breath you won't do it so often.
I'm not even gonna start recommending harps to you as we'll have an anvalache of different opinions, all right, by the way, but I use Special 20s and I find they last for me.
Go for the new harp but keep the old one as one day you will find a use for it.
Oisin
Last Edited by on Apr 01, 2009 6:03 PM
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