Is it hard to bend notes on a cheap harmonica?

Question

As a beginner I got a Suzuki Easy Rider (http://www.suzukimusic.com/harmonicas/ezr20/) for $3.8 (original price $4.49) from a real large music store last week. All the holes work great except the 2- draw note, which produces no/little sound no matter how hard I inhale. The largest problem is that I can only bend a draw note successfully on the 1-hole when I try holes 1-4. Bending blow notes on the higher end is almost impossible.

I once disassembled my harp and found that the 20 reeds were neither broken nor damaged. The tuning was perfect.

So... what can explain the poor performance of the harp? Would reeds undergo metal fatigue even if a harp had never been played? Do you think large harmonica manufacturers like Suzuki would produce low-quality instruments?

And if I'm to buy a new harmonica, which one should I choose - Marine Band or XB-40?

Please help, thanks.

Answer 1

No. It is not more difficult to bend notes on a cheap harmonica. I fact it can be easier. The problem is that inexpensive harmonicas won’t be as easy to control nor will they last as long.

Bending notes on a harmonica is achieved by restricting the flow of air while simultaneously increasing the air pressure. For instance, draw air forcefully while narrowing the opening by moving your tongue near the hole. You get the sensation of trying to sip a very thick milkshake through a small straw. That action creates backpressure, which forces the reed to bend. It is a similar phenomenon as the straw collapsing when you’re enjoying that super-thick shake.

Good quality reeds are accurately machined and assembled. They can withstand or “rebound from” that force much longer. Good quality reeds are more consistent too. They are easier to bend “in tune” and respond more consistently from note-to-note. On a cheap harp, some notes bend so easily that it’s hard to play in tune. Others won’t bend no matter what you do. That’s the big difference.

It is entirely possible that reeds may not appear damaged to the naked eye. Internal stresses on the delicate metal reeds do not show up visibly. But you can measure reed-deflection with a machinist’s metrology tools. I have done that. It is a tedious job. What I discovered is that reeds are “graduated” in thickness, length and width. What we perceive as “easy bending” is a complex interaction of the reeds dimensions, material strength and design... and of course your technique! To make a truly accurate harmonica that allowed consistent bending on all notes is incredibly difficult, therefore expensive. The best makers, at least those that are still in business, know this. They also know that, to stay in business, they must make manufacturing compromises. You probably won’t get a “perfect” harp in this lifetime, even if you are a billionaire with nothing better to do. With a little information and a lot of practice, you can play blues harp fairly well and enjoyably. I can’t help you practice, but I can tell you how to find a decent harp!

It is interesting and useful to know a little about the harmonica’s history. Although harmonica is typically associated with Blues nowadays in America, it was elevated above “Gypsy” status in Europe in the last century. Artists such as “Toots Thielman” and the “HarmoniCats” helped make the harmonica a “legitimate” instrument. As such, many venerable manufacturers sprouted and flourished, albeit briefly. If you want a good quality harp, price is NOT your only consideration. Cheap harps a generally not very good. But it is not true that all expensive harps are! Look for a Western European manufacturer (or at least a name) with long history. For most “Blues Travelers” $20 to $50 is a fair range.

You will discover that although a decent “blues-harp” costs five times that of a cheap one, it lasts ten times longer. Decent harps can be disassembled, cleaned, repaired and reassembled. That makes them less expensive in the long run. You will also sound better, learn faster and have more fun with a good harp! Good luck!

Answer 2

Harmonica Bending

Answer 3

Odds are there is NOTHING wrong with the 2 draw note. Its most likely YOU. When I started with the harp many years ago I also blamed the instrument. When drawing in the 2 hole try to concentrate on breathing through your nose as well. The reed on the two hole is usually a little "stronger" than the others so it requires some practice, but you will get it. Although it is very possible to bend on a cheaper harmonica its easier on a better quality one. If you can buy one (around $25) do it. I have a Suzuki, but the Blues Master. I think Herring has great harps, try the Delta blues, or vintage ($20) or if you must have a Hohner, try the Golden Melody or Special 20.

Answer 4

Get the Hohner Marine Band critters. You can do anything you want to them and they blow.

As far as bending notes, make sure the harp is wet and you have to howl just right. I'm not good at it, but I can hand my harps to blowers that know how to cook it and they give the instrument back just they way they got it.

Harmonicas are cheap enough to replace if you have found a punky reed. Hohner might even send you a replacement if you whap them with a nasty letter.

Meanwhile, put on some Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, all the harp lessons you evah gonna need!

Answer 5

LOL

I remember when this guy stole all my harps, mics, and amps, id and money. As a street musician I ended up getting this cheap piece of crap. But I worked my way up with it, getting a real harp later that day (I'm now fully stocked again with my blues harps, golden melodies, and lee oskars)...

As a begging harp player, I'd say hohner's blues harp (wood core)..much warmer sound. I used to hate Marine Bands, but I'm comming around on the special 20's. Personally, though, you cannot beat a Lee Oskar. I bought my first one about seven years ago, and I've been playing the same one since.

Answer 6

While not good for the harmonica sometimes soaking the entire thing in a warm glass of water for thirty seconds can free it up. It may shorten the life of the instrument, but the sound is so much better- after you blow the water out of it. I learned this trick as a roady years ago working for a major league rock band. Anyway for $5.00 you have NOTHING to lose if all the holes do not function it is fairly worthless anyway. Good Luck.

Answer 7

You get what you pay for. Advanced playing, like bending notes, requires quality instruments to develop quality technique. Bit the bullet.

Answer 8

You get what you play for and even beginners are only as good as their instrument. It'll cost you a least 20 bucks for a playable harp.

Answer 9

i use to play around with an axe and my ist one was an inexpensive blues harp(honer) and i had no problem with it.