From: "Howard E. Herrnstadt" Date: Thu, 13 Apr 2000 20:36:57 -0400 Subject: Re: breaking in harps.
Responding to: Pat Missin Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2000 19:21:19 +0100 Subject: Re: puckering and reed wear and tear >I break my harps in slowly and carefully, as I outlined here a >few weeks back, and I've noticed one or two other harpers here say the >same. ... and many others, including myself, do not bother to "break in" our instruments, yet they still last us a long time. I'm still playing some of the first Lee Oskars I bought, back in 1986. I'd be curious to hear what you believe that "breaking in" does to the reeds. -- Pat.
It's a long-time (30+ years) custom for me. It seems to me that I would have to "force" many reeds or entire harps to respond easily right out of the box, but that after the break-in period they usually play easily. Of course, I have one MB that is such a leaky mess I'm going to send it out for customizing as the only way to save it. (I'll get to it, I promise!) Perhaps what got me started was borrowing a harp from a folk player (something I wouldn't do now, I'm more squeamish) that played so-ooooo easily and sweetly. He told me he never played hard. I wonder too if it could have something to do with the "seating" of the reeds on the plate or within the slots and if that part of the construction can use a bit of a shakeup. (That comment will cause a thread!) Maybe I'm just blowing dust out! I don't know, nothing scientific here. In any case, the break-in is a bit of a practice for me with long tones, gentle chords and single notes up and down the harp. It's a quieter way of practicing, very basic, that leads me back to the beauty of the sound of the instrument. It has a meditative quality. Worth it for itself.
Harmonica Blu Howard Herrnstadt WordsOnTheWeb her~hio.net (440) 989-1567
