How to check the pitch of a harmonica reed?
General
considerations: Please make sure that you set your tuning device
to A=443 Hz (basis frequency) - some players prefer 442 Hz or even lower.
SEYDEL uses 443 Hz for tuning a Richter harmonica. If you play it live and with
cover plates you will land at 440 - 441 Hz which is fine for most of the
instruments you play along with. Please make sure to hit each note with a
neutral and relaxed embouchure if you like to check single notes on a tuning
device. The instrument should be "warmed-up" a little bit and also be
a little wet already.
Finding a "neutral" way of blowing/drawing a
single note is not easy and the result depends on the player who checks the
pitches because all players have an individual way of checking/playing a note.
Therefore check each note individually by applying
different playing pressures (soft, medium, hard). In order to tune the octaves
to sound without a beating tremolo, you have to be able to play two notes at once
("splitting technique") by covering two or three (-- or ---) holes
with your tongue. This is a real challenge especially for the draw octaves (s.
below).
Tuning a harmonica
You should regularly check the tuning of your
harmonica – reeds suffer from use and wear out, just like car tyres.
Using a file (or the scraper with brass reeds), remove material from the reed tip (#) to raise
the pitch – the reed becomes lighter and vibrates at a higher frequency
(faster). Support the reed while filing it by using the reed lifter or the reed support of the setup-tool. In order to lower
the pitch (b), remove material from the rivet end as shown
in the figure below. Make sure not to touch the sides of the reed. In case the
reed does not work (buzzing or no sound) please use the reed wrench to
re-center the reed (described later) or remove material from the reed edge with
the straight edge of the reed-lifter part of the setup-tool or by using the shim.
Important
note: Always file along
the reed and not across. Cross filing can seriously reduce reed life
- especially if filed into the reed-surface when you tune the pitch down.
The following step-by-step description shows in which
order you should tune your harmonica to the "Compromised tuning".
For checking the pitch after each alteration hold the
harmonica with covers pressed to the comb! Play it softly, medium and hard using
the “t”, “g” and “h”-embouchures. Avoid bending the notes - breathe through the
instrument rather than drawing/blowing the air forcefully.
Tip: hold the
harmonica loosely with two fingers of one hand rather than pressing it to your
lips by holding it like usual.
Tuning a harmonica - suggested procedure
Warm up the harmonica a little bit by playing it for a
minute at least. You can also warm it up by placing it on a heater.
Blow notes:
- tune root note 4 blow (basis frequency A 443 Hz)
- tune the lower octave 1 blow so that is does not
beat (1--4 blow) (0 cent)
- tune all thirds (2, 5, 8 blow) to -14 cent. Check
the octaves while using tongue splitting. Start your test very softly and then at
maximum volume, best check with covers! (2--5,
3--6, 4--7, etc.)
- use the already
perfect pitched lower note as a reference for tuning the upper reeds within an
octave always
- tune the fifth (3, 6, 9 blow) to +2 cent (check the
octaves, as single notes and sounding together. Listening, no «beating» sound should be produced,
regardless of playing (air) pressure
Draw notes:
- tune 2 draw identically to 3 blow
- tune the octaves 1--4 draw to +4 cent (no beating)
- tune 3---7
draw to -12 cent, check the octave with splitting (three holes must be covered
by the tongue)
-repeat the procedure with 4---8 draw, 5---9 draw
and 6---10 draw
Check
everything again after a day and some playing - reed pitch sometimes drops after settling.
Important note:
Playing in octaves is a technique commonly used in Blues and other playing
styles. So make sure to tune them to be "no beating". Find out which
of the notes is too high or to low by playing them individually. Tip: You can
even check octaves visually while recording the octave-sound on your computer
by using a program that displays the envelope curve of the recorded sound (e.g.
the "Audacity" freeware). If the envelope is even and flat the octave
is in-tune. If you can see oscillating parts in the envelope the pitch of one of
the notes is not right.
Try to
avoid changes in the reed offsets while tuning - a small electric drill with a
fine bevelling tip is suited best for tuning your instrument without effecting
the offset too much. A file is suited well as well, but you need a lot of
experience if you do not want to have to redo the reed
offsets.
More information can be found in the >"Worth knowing info"menu.