In this blog, I’m going to share with you some simple strategies to keep your harmonica performance as well as trick sterilizing.
So, How Do You Get Your Harmonicas to Last a Long Time and Stay in Tune?
Here’s a quick overview:
Why might you think about starting with a harmonica if you like cars? It has more moving mechanical parts and the mileage rack up quicker the more it deteriorates. Why might one harmonica last only 6 months and the other last over 30 years?
Similarly, similar to a vehicle, the mobile mechanical components of harmonicas (i.E. The reeds) will deteriorate at a faster pace if they:
What Determines How Long a Harmonica Lasts?
Most of us find it not very practical, unless we are collectors. It is advisable to store it in a container that is cool, dry, and airtight, and dry it promptly. To ensure a harmonica lasts for more than 30 years, it is recommended to play it sparingly and softly.
I regularly find my students stunned because I admit that I did not realize you could maintain a harmonica by periodically replacing it every 30 years.
I was hoping to drive home to that point if you play individual harmonica a lot and bend and play the blues with some umph then you might only need to replace the reeds every 6 months. (For example, I don’t play a lot of them, I don’t play flat keys as often as natural keys, I’ve had several harmonicas that have lasted me years).
I generally recommend that students buy a new harmonica instead of replacing the entire harmonica, as replacing reeds on most models of harmonicas can be more time-consuming and costly.
If obtainable, you may derive pleasure from substituting singular reeds or complete reed plates if you possess manual dexterity and have an affinity for working with implements. (Certain harmonica variations possess interchangeable reed plates while others lack this feature.) Having said that.
If you play them with excessive air pressure, you will find that the draw holes or the 5 and 4 reeds are the most vulnerable to wear and bending, resulting in a range of 7 points lower than what you see.
7 Simple Strategies for Increasing Your Harmonica’s Life Expectancy
One of My Harmonica Notes Is Not Playing! Why!?
Most common reason for a reed to stop playing is from excess saliva (see my video above for more info on this).
Your Head Should Be Upright When You Play to Keep Saliva From Flowing Down Into the Harmonica.
Sometimes, when students are reading music on their desks, they tilt their heads downward to get a better view. This is a simple solution to the problem of getting music stands.
In order to avoid saliva from entering the harmonica, I regularly swallow and allow the moisture in my mouth to accumulate beneath my tongue. I have acquired this knowledge.
What If Saliva Is Clogging a Reed? Remedies:
Watch Out for Lint and Whiskers!
If you notice any foreign substances such as a whisker, hair, or lint that may be blocking the reeds, it might be necessary to carefully remove them from your harmonica in order to ensure it functions properly. Additionally, removing any saliva can also help improve its performance.
What About Breaking in the Reeds When You First Buy a Harmonica?
By handling your harmonica delicately, there is a belief that it will have a prolonged lifespan and maintain its tuning. The act of playing softly is said to benefit the reeds by aligning the crystals within the metal. However, this is only a theoretical notion.
Personally, I am not worried for a few reasons.
Above all, if you become skilled in manipulating the technique of playing with moderate air pressure as mentioned earlier, then this issue becomes significantly less significant.
If an individual is able to present substantial proof for their assertion, I am willing to reconsider my viewpoint – however, his fellow mechanical engineers appear to concur, and I currently share the same opinion. Additionally, I have been informed by Winslow Yerxa (renowned author of Harmonica for Dummies and highly esteemed harmonica player and instructor worldwide) that there is a lack of published scientific research to substantiate the assertion that the crystals in the metal align themselves during a “break-in period”.
How to Sterilize a Harmonica?
Some pros of using an ultrasonic cleaner with a disinfectant to sterilize their harmonicas include my satisfaction with the simple use of hydrogen peroxide as a bath, and I am not averse to this strategy, but I explain that below (rinsing the reed plates under water after the ultrasonic bath).
As long as you have a harmonica with a plastic comb, you can use a hydrogen peroxide bath for sterilizing the harmonica.
Over the past 25 years, I have been using hydrogen peroxide on my plastic combs and harmonicas, resulting in 100 percent harm-free outcomes. While I am not an expert on the subject, I am happy to share my ideas with you. I have found that using alcohol and vinegar for cleaning no longer leaves any distasteful residue.
To reduce the potential growth of bacteria and thus minimize the amount of contaminants, it is advisable to sterilize the harmonica. Before playing, make sure to rinse your mouth with water and brush your teeth, as recommended above, to ensure cleanliness.
If I am unsure, I caution that frequent exposure to hydrogen peroxide may accelerate the oxidation process of your harmonica, so it is not recommended to use it too often to sterilize it.
I Personally Only Sterilize My Harmonicas Once Every 4 to 12 Months, When I Notice a Bitter Flavor in the Harmonica.
I’ve also aimed the fan of my air-borne ozonator towards my harmonicas and that appears to work fine as well.
How JP sterilizes his harmonicas:
This will require a bit more effort, but the only option to remove the reed plates is by placing them into a hydrogen peroxide bath. You will need to check with the manufacturer of your harmonica to be certain, but it is generally advised against using this technique if your harmonica has a wooden or bamboo comb. Also, please note that it is important to dry the harmonica immediately and not soak it for too long. However, if you follow these instructions, there’s a pretty good chance that it will be safe to play.
Say What? Run Water From the Faucet Through Your Harmonica?
If I’m out hanging at a party or at a gig, someone plays my harmonica without my permission and simply runs it through the faucet water.
Maybe I have to admit that I’m a bit squeamish, but I definitely don’t want to ingest carbohydrates that have been sticking to the reeds. Instead of soda or chips, maybe someone has been drinking beer.
Only When You’re in a Jam!
If you don’t want to use this technique of combing bamboo or wood, as mentioned above, you may consider using a polymer plastic comb when playing harmonicas to ensure that it stays clean. Additionally, make sure to thoroughly dry the harmonica after it has been exposed to water, and periodically clean it by blasting water through the faucet, as this will help prevent any issues.
I Tend to Lean Toward Harmonicas With Plastic Polymer Combs (like the hohner Special 20) for This Very Reason – They’re so Much Easier for Me to Clean!!!
Here’s an old audio recording I made years ago that talks a bit more about harmonica maintenance, some of the information is redundant but you might find some new ideas interesting.
I hope this article on harmonica maintenance was helpful and gave you ideas on how to maximize the life expectancy of your instruments. Please don’t hesitate to take any of my ideas as gospel, as I’m just a fool who loves the harmonica.