Is my harmonica broken? Can it be fixed?

Blocked? Out of tune? Hole 2 draw sounds awful? Is my harmonica broken? Can it be mended? Can I repair it? How do I fix it? Is it totally Busted? - A beginners guide. Lets take a look at some of the common problems. I am available for online & in person tuition www.backyardmu...

[@antaris6493]

I didn’t even think about the saliva entering my harmonica. I tapped it after times like you did and then it sounded brand new! Thanks so much 😂

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

Nice one, i'm glad I could help you out! free free to check out my music here...skifflemachine.bandcamp.com

[@Trump-dj3xu]

I wish it was that easy

[@Stefan.X.]

Yuss! Fixed my harmonica, I was an idiot and poked around in the holes to scrap off grime, and bent a Reed. It sounded horrible when pulling on no.4...opened up, it's bent. Thank u sir!

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

excellent :)

[@AITries]

100% thought I had a bad #2 intake Reed, I practiced for a minute after watching and it sure did sort itself out. Thanks man!

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

Glad I could help you out! :)

[@daganhaddad]

drinking beer while watching....better save to faves & watch again - got sidetracked playing

[@johnaustin1825]

Great My A and G were blocked and washing didn't solve. You gave me confidence to take apart and behold there was a little bit of something underneath the reed....Thanks

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

glad it helped you out John. :)

[@fableagain]

Thanks for the advice, turns out it's just my lack of technique haha XD I was so frustrated, thinking I have to buy a new one

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

Enjoy your harmonica journey :)

[@umangu]

2 hole sounding like that - and nothing wrong with my harmonica. That's both the news I was looking for and the news I was not looking for!!!

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

yep, that pesky hole 2... glad I could help you out :)

[@umangu]

Li'l Chuck The One Man Skiffle Machine I worked on it all day today!!

[@Me-eb3wv]

Lol same

[@umangu]

@@Me-eb3wv I played my harmonica so much on that hole that the Reed has gone bad! 😂

[@kenmare16]

Very practical and useful advice. Thank you.

[@Trump-dj3xu]

Learned Deep Ellum Blues on harmonica given to me by Popper! And of course low rider

[@finnskadinnska4168]

thankyou

[@seenundercygnus6870]

Aaand fixed. Thanks man!

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

Glas I could help you out. Thanks for checking in! New harmonica album out now if you wanna have a listen :) davidthorpeharmonica.bandcamp.com/releases

[@DanFrechette]

Hilarious. Love the humor.

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

Thanks man 😃 feel free to check out my other videos... Different subjects but all the same kinda vibe!

[@logawinner]

How do you break a harmonica? The reed isn't wood.

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

Thank for checking in. Correct, a harmonica reed is not made of wood, however there are many ways to 'break' or render a harmonica unplayable. 'reed / metal fatigue' is one of them. Eating a 1KG bag of peanuts and then playing the harmonica immediately afterwards is another. :)

[@zignimus5334]

My one hole draw sounds like the reed is vibrating or touching another metal piece when played hard. It makes a scary sound that makes me jump back from my harp everytime i play it. I'm terrified I'm going to inhale a reed

[@regular_man2779]

My #3 draw sounds weird I fixed it for a day and now it's back sounding weird

[@jtgordon5500]

My 4 blow seems to be tuned to a G, 4 draw sounds like a D. Used a piano to ensure my suspension. Any ideas? I’m quite new at this. Thanks for your awesome videos!

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

the notes will all depend on the key of the harmonica you have. What key is your harmonica in, and is it a 10 hole diatonic harmonica? 4 blow would normally signify the key of the harmonica (4 blow on a G harp is the note of G), however 4 draw on a 10 hole diatonic harmonica in the key of G should be an A note.

[@DOCTRJ]

Ok

[@aimanhalim2150]

Thank you so much! This video is really helpful. 😍

[@seto_bento]

Is it normal if the 3 draw doesn’t sound right ?

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

nope, not normal, it should sound perfect.

[@zekeram129]

If it breaks can I make a Baddest Beam?

[@seenundercygnus6870]

Also subscribed

[@vme3000]

Hole 2 and 3 are so hard to draw on my Harmonica in the key of A

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

I hope the thoughts in my video helped point you to the possible causes. cheers. :)

[@MYELbe]

I've got a weird problem. Just bought a cheap harmonica and it's supposed to be in C but I noticed that i can only blow in hole 1 draw from hole 2 , blow in 3 , draw from 4 etc... When watching youtube video's I notice you should be able to draw and blow through each hole right? Also the note C starts at hole 1 ( blow) and comes back in by drawing in hole 8. Am I missing something?

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

I reckon its probably down to two things. 1) "Cheap harmonica" please watch this and it will explain a few things kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnezi4B8eZ6LY8U 2) Technique, youtube some videos on Harmonica "Embouchure" Hope this helps. Cheers.

[@andrewjohn3288]

Can anyone out there provide me with an explanation why the 2 draw is much more difficult to play as compared to the other notes? Why can't the harmonica manufactures correct this problem? We should have an expectation that each note should play with the same ease and quality.

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

Hole 2 isn't any more 'difficult' to play than the other holes, and if you are playing a decent quality harmonica it will not be anything to do with the harmonica itself. It's all about your Embouchure and breath control when it comes to achieving 'perfect' single notes. For some, this technique can take quite a bit practice. I teach it do beginner students all the time. feel free to hit me up for online lessons. alternatively, google / youtube 'hole 2 draw harmonica' and you'll see plenty of information about this subject.

[@andrewjohn3288]

@@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214 Thank you for the information. However, why does the 2 hole draw require a higher level of skill to play as compared to the other holes?

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

@@andrewjohn3288 I've no idea about the actual mechanics but the Harmonica is a precision 'tool' that needs to be played with precision in order to achieve many techniques. Good embouchure and breath control is is vital for these.

[@DJahop]

I cannot for the life of me bend a note. I’ve tried every method. No dice. Is it my harp? Hohner big river C diatonic.

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

ok, I can't say without seeing / hearing your harp whether it is stuffed or not but,... I learned bending about 25 years ago in a Hohner big river C harp. Firstly, are you playing a perfect 'single note' with excellent embouchure (tongue block or lip block). Are you trying on hole 4 draw first?... this is generally regarded as the easiest. Check Jon Gindick, Adam Gussow etc lessons on bending on YT. It certainly isn't 'easy' off the bat but it is dead 'easy' if you get the foundations and fundamentals right and you put the practice hours in and are relaxed. Bending should be 'effortless'.. Another option, buy another harp, in any key and you'll soon find out if it's the harp or the player. Trust me, you'll get there :)

[@laurentlefeivre]

Some models are very hard to bend, and the big river is very hard if you are a beginner. Chose a Hohner Special 20, this model is better out of the box to learn to bend, and not expensive.

[@logawinner]

Hey ask a clarinet player like me make your mouth large or smaller the embaughure should change on a harmonica.

[@prathamprasoon2535]

Nice vid

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

+Pratham Prasoon Thanks!

[@Hikieblitz]

my 7th hole sounds of it sounded perefct while I was playing then suddenly it sounded like its always bending the note. All other notes sound fine I've cleaned the harmonica to make sure there is nothing interfering ith the reed but its as clean as I can get it.

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

it's probably 'reed fatigue'...metal fatigue and possibly the end of the road for the harp depending on its quality.

[@Hikieblitz]

@@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214 After playing some more its not that its bending the 7th hole constantly but its stuck in draw . when I dissasemble the harmonica I can see that the reed is stuck almost flush with the reed plate.

[@Deaneiable]

can you please tel me the correct procedure to loosen the screws on a Suzuki reed plate -they are very tight!!!Any hint on best procedure to release screw would be appreciated

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

Thanks for your question. I am not overly familiar with Suzuki Harmonicas. I am guessing if your harp has replaceable reed plates similar to Lee Oskars, the screws may be tight as they could be 'self tapping screws. See how you go with a well fitting screwdriver and a a bit of elbow grease. :) this may be useful too.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/aWnFg3-PqtVjiZo

[@pandaskidslv5025]

I broke one of the flaps. O well thats a bummer.

[@an_empty_husk]

Does the 10th hole always make a funny noise

[@an_empty_husk]

Like two blades scraping

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

No not really, hole 10 usually makes a beautiful noise :)

[@an_empty_husk]

Then is my harmonica broken

[@wleon4068]

But would not warm water corrode the reeds - if they are metal that is?

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

You should be sweet with clean warm water. Most harp reeds are brass, some stainless steel, they can handle it....

[@ludovitellibjorn964]

Is that waltzing matilda that you're playing in this one vid?

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

maybe but not intentionally :)

[@Sithassassin9]

My harmonica says East Top but when I bought it on Amazon the brand said Boseno, but right after I got it the 9 and 10 hole draw make a high pitch noise, what could that be?

[@JOHNRINGOLD]

Paul Kemp was

[@logawinner]

It's in tone

[@Megalodon2949]

I used a tooth pick to clean the inside of hole 4, it now sounds like those thing at a party. how do you fix it?

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

Take it apart and if you have bent the reed you may be able to gently bend it back... my video should explain everything :)

[@jkyoft78]

you don't bother to say which way to adjust the reeds.

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

Correct, this video is a simple overview.. Thanks for checking in :)

[@ivand2226]

Can you still play the harmonica if the back plate is missing?

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

I Ivan, I'm not sure what a 'back plate' is. There are 'cover plates' one on the top and one on the bottom... the harp will still work but it will affect your embouchure without them.

[@ivand2226]

@@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214 ohhh okk, sorry my bad 😅

[@caileeberry2323]

I think I'm doing something wrong technic wise because my 1 and 2 sound so raspy Agsusbdisjdk thanks for the help tho!

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

Good Luck :)

[@kennethmoore480]

How much are new Reed plates for a harmonica mine are tarnished

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

The price will depend on the brand of the harmonica. Best to just google ‘replacement reed plates for a ****** harmonica’. Cheers.

[@rexcanine9766]

rev

[@graham8harrison565]

Well you haven’t told anybody have a fix anything of you has just pointed out what could be wrong I mean you could at least have a go at messing about with one or two of the reads I mean I’m not complaining the way but I think this was pretty useless

[@isaacezekielthecolorblindg7343]

161st like

[@lilchucktheonemanskifflema2214]

Cheers! you can hear more of my music right here. skifflemachine.bandcamp.com