Gary 62
106 posts
Feb 04, 2016
8:49 AM
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Hi guys been a while since i posted on here. Been practicing hard, working on scales usually full 3 octave one's to improve my technique. Anyway working on the minor pentatonic and blues scale i've been using the #6OB all the time as the minor third. So i'm increasing my speed playing the scale, but sometimes when i go fast between the OB and the regular blow note the regular note won't sound. I gather it's due to condensation forming and the reed sticks. So what to do? I widened the gap and that stops it but then the OB is too hard to get when you need to play it quickly.
It doesn't happen all the time but when i'm practicing over the same bit of the harp it happens a lot.
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Killa_Hertz
430 posts
Feb 04, 2016
8:00 PM
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Not sure. I don't overblow. I would suggest putting this in the main forum. Those guys would prolly be more help.
I'm sure Bee could tell you, but atleast you ll get a few opinions.
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"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
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Ian
273 posts
Feb 05, 2016
1:44 AM
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Hi Gary,
I only overblow 5 and 6 so my experience is limited to those holes.
I haven't had the problem you describe but maybe you are generally playing a bit too wet? Too much saliva? I know some harps are particularly susceptible to moisture. My manjis, being so tightly gapped and with such tight reed tolerances that if too much saliva hits them the reeds can be dulled.
You mentioned it was when you play over the same spot, so I reckon it probably is due to moisture build up.... You need to create less moisture.
I'm not sure that there would be a way that you could adjust the gaps so that there was a workable middle ground. You need that tightness of the blow reed to get it to choke.
What harps are you using?
Last Edited by Ian on Feb 05, 2016 1:46 AM
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SuperBee
3354 posts
Feb 05, 2016
3:43 AM
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sounds similiar to the problem i used to get practicing blow bends. i get problems with OBs a bit like that too...which is probably one reason i decided that the 6ob was good enough...
only thing i can think of really is to have a spare harp to switch to when you start to gum up the first one. if it starts to happen in less time than usual it might mean youre getting a build up on te reed or slot and time to give it a clean...
i dunno...when i was practicing blow bends a lot this would happen and eventually i'd just either stop or swap harps...
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MindTheGap
1104 posts
Feb 05, 2016
6:42 AM
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I remember getting this too. I think I'd play a good strong 6D bend to clear it.
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Gary 62
107 posts
Feb 05, 2016
8:21 AM
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Thanks guys for your input, much appreciated. I too haven't been able to find a solution to this problem. As you mentioned Ian we need the reeds gapped pretty tightly to get the OB nicely without too much strain.
Ian: It's a 'Special 20' i use. A key of 'C' harp i'm practicing mostly on, though i also play an 'A' an awful lot too.
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Ian
277 posts
Feb 05, 2016
9:08 AM
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The only other thing I can think it might be is if the reed is really tightly gapped (which I know it needs to be) , and you are putting a lot of force in to the overblow, perhaps the reed may just close shut for good. As in, maybe it's 'gapped' itself shut.
I know I've had some reeds that I've gapped tight and after a few playing sessions they have closed off, as if they have bent themselves shut.
I asked what harp you were playing just in case it was one of the models with crazy tight tolerances.
Its just a thought. Might be rubbish!
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Killa_Hertz
442 posts
Feb 05, 2016
6:21 PM
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I think i know your problem. I literally just had this issue with a new sp20. It was a 2 draw bend tho not am OB. the reason it was sticking wasnt the gap, but the shape. Make sure your reeds enter the slot at the same time. And if you can't, at the very least just make sure the tip DOES NOT enter first.
If you aren't good with shaping yet, the easy way is to just put a light arch in it. That way your tip is raised ever so slightly. Therefore not entering the slot ahead of the back end.
Hope that helps.
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"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
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Gary 62
108 posts
Feb 06, 2016
8:06 AM
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Killa Hertz: Thanks man i'll check it out. I tried to gwt the reed as straight as i possibly could so it's possible the tip is slightly lower and that might be why it's happening right enough.
I followed the advice from Tinus on 'Overblow.com' on gapping and arcing. I may have just tried to get the reed too straight and may have overdone it by a fraction.
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