beng
20 posts
Feb 01, 2010
8:19 PM
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I just want to raise the subject of what myself and friends refer to as my harmonirash. after having played for any significant period of time (an hour plus) i get a nasty rash on the right side of the mouth...and if I play all night with a band, that often turns into quite a nasty irritation, and often a small cut. I played a gig on Thursday and was going at it quite hard for the best part of 3 hours (with breaks), and it's been sore all weekend. I play tongue blocked, so i'm always using the right side of my mouth to block off holes...and i suppose it gets especially worn down when i'm warbling etc...I definately feel the burn more when I play my marine bands, as opposed to Special 20's or Suzuki blues masters. I don't think i have an allergy - and i'm fairly confident with my embouchure, but of course that can always do with improving in regards to tone. anyone else find this to be a significant problem? i don't mind so much, but when i get one of the small cuts, it puts me out of harp action until it heals...
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nacoran
959 posts
Feb 01, 2010
9:08 PM
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It can depend on the type of harp you play. Play a little and take notice of any rough spots on your harps. Plastic combs are easier on the lips (until you get into custom wood combs). More expensive harps tend to have fewer rough edges. It may just be because it's a more expensive harp and they do more de-burring, but my Seydel Blues Favorite is the easiest harp on my lips. I like the shape of the cover more. I have a Golden Melody too, but it's reed plates stick out to far. Until I get my grinder out and fix it it isn't going to be all that comfortable. (I find the Seydel is more comfortable on my thumbs than a standard sandwich, so is the GM.)
Folkmaster (Typical Sandwich)
Seydel Blues Favorite
You can sand down rough corners to smooth out any harp, although there is probably someone here who has better advise on how to do that than me.
edit- Also, wooden combed harps can swell if they aren't fully sealed. This can cause a rough edge. I think Adam carefully uses a razor blade to shave them down again. Custom wood combs will also round off the corners of the inside of the holes.
Last Edited by on Feb 01, 2010 9:22 PM
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jonsparrow
2019 posts
Feb 01, 2010
9:45 PM
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you gotta learn to keep your lips wet. if you have a split second during a bar like a quarter rest lick your lips real fast. do this every chance you get. the longer you play an the harder you play the drier your mouth will get an you even salivate less.
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Big Nancy
10 posts
Feb 01, 2010
10:42 PM
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I'm with nac... I've been playing Golden Melodies and Special 20's for as long as I can remember because the wood combs rip me up!
Not trying to be contrary Sparrow but I think that the problem with the corners of the mouth is that this is where moisture builds up... deep in the recesses of the corner of your mouth. The drool corners as it were.... This causes the skin to breakdown and it can not stand up to the friction and sharp edges of the comb raking back and forth.
Now... because it is your lips, you can't use the appropriate powders and potions that YOU MIGHT use on other damp soft cracks... you may consider keeping a towel on stage... try to keep your harps and the corners of your mouth as dry as you can. Switch to plastic, aluminum or smoothed wood. But wood requires ongoing maintenance because of the swelling factor. And yes, wet your lips to play ... but I think the rash you are referring to stems from the cracks in the corners.
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www.bignancy.com
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jonsparrow
2020 posts
Feb 01, 2010
10:50 PM
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my wood combs require zero maintenance.
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nacoran
971 posts
Feb 02, 2010
10:59 AM
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Oh, and get a polishing rag and use it! Gunk builds up on the outside of the harp too. When it dries it can chew you up. I got a free polishing rag with my Seydel and not having gunk on the comb really helps.
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congaron
503 posts
Feb 02, 2010
11:07 AM
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the brass edge of the reed plate saws away at my upper lip when it gets dry. I get cuts in the very corners of my upper lip...just from my marine bands and bluesharps. So Then I slap on some blistex and switch to special 20s and harpmasters for a day or two until it heals.
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