How long will harmonica last

The reed has cracked at the base, and either it, or the harmonica needs to be replaced. Most go for the latter. With steady playing, a harmonica should go at least 6 months before a reed goes bad. Modern harmonicas seem to last much longer than the older ones.

Of those instruments though Guitar will be the best to learn first. It is easier to learn though harder to master than harmonica unless you have the knack. It is also a more versatile instrument helping you to fit into more situations. Remember that the blow reeds are on the inside of the hole, the draw reeds are on the outside.

Push the reed out five times. Harmonica note sounds bad: If one of the notes on your instrument suddenly sounds bad, then it is probably is bad. If your harmonica has a plastic comb, run it under cold water. To clean your instrument more thoroughly, remove the cover and reed plates with a screwdriver, then soak the reed plates for 30 minutes in a solution of water and vinegar.

There's lots of great things you do very quickly, very easily on the harmonica that sound wonderful. Furthermore, because replacing reeds on most models of harmonicas is more money- and time-intensive than replacing the entire harmonica, I generally just buy a new harmonica and I recommend my students do the same. See point 7 down below for more on this. Most common reason for a reed to stop playing is from excess saliva see my video above for more info on this.

A simple remedy to this problem is to get a music stand. When removing any foreign substances from the harmonica that might be blocking the reeds, be careful not to move the reed off its center or it will buzz or malfunction. Firstly, if you learn to play with moderate air pressure as explained above, then this is much less of an issue.

Some pros use an ultrasonic cleaner with a disinfectant to sterilize their harmonicas rinsing the reed plates under water after the ultrasonic bath. I am not averse to this strategy but, I have been satisfied with the use of a simple hydrogen peroxide bath I will explain below. As long as you have a harmonica with a plastic comb, you can use a hydrogen peroxide bath for sterilizing the harmonica.

The other option is to remove the reed plates and only place the reed plates into the hydrogen peroxide bath but this will require a bit more effort. I admit it. Now look at the blocked reed. Sometimes a small nose hair is the culprit, pushing the reed out gently will remove it. All should then be well. One nil. Replace the cover plates, making sure that they are the right distance from the top of the comb.

If you have another harmonica of the same brand, then use it for a reference. If the problem is the two draw second hole, breathing in , and you are a beginner, chances are that nothing is wrong with the harmonica. This note is the bane of new players, and also the fundamental blues note.

Another common problem is a note which sounds, but jams at higher breath pressure. This gap can be widened, again by pushing the reed out of the slot several times with the wooden toothpick. Try pushing the reed out half a dozen times, then playing it. Any better? If not, then repeat. And repeat…. Another common problem is a reed which suddenly goes way out of tune.

Bad news here. The reed has cracked at the base, and either it, or the harmonica needs to be replaced. Most go for the latter. With steady playing, a harmonica should go at least 6 months before a reed goes bad. Modern harmonicas seem to last much longer than the older ones.