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Harmonica Lessons › Community Forum › Gear Talk › Gapping adjustment
Hi Mitch, Enjoying your course immensely. I have a few questions that I can’t find addressed in any of the forums and wonder if you could help. First one is about gapping – how to do it and how do you know whether to increase or reduce the gap or whether it’s actually fine and it’s my playing that’s off! This has come to light as an issue due to a new Special 20 ‘F’ which I’ve just bought and where I’m finding the higher notes in particular hard to get a draw note to work, and the lower (1-6) holes ok on the draw note but I’m really struggling to bend them, 3 and 4 in particular. I’ve adjusted gaps with some success in other keys but struggling with the F.
Great to hear from you, and that you are enjoying the course.
It may just be an adjustment to the high F harmonica rather than a gapping issue. The F harp is the highest one in the “standard” set, so it can take a little getting used to. Those high harps can also need a bit of “breaking in” before they play really freely.
Without me hearing exactly what it’s doing, it’s hard to advise properly. But try playing a little softer, especially on the high notes and on draw bends, and see if that helps.
If it is gapping, it usually takes some trial and error. The general idea is:
The smaller the gap, the more control you have over the reed.
But the smaller the gap, the lighter you need to play, because a tight gap can choke if you hit it too hard.
So you’re basically looking for the sweet spot that works for your breath and your playing style.
The best video I have seen on gapping so far is this one by Brendan Power: https://youtu.be/T7WqyAWrTQc?t=120
Hi Mitch, I’ve had a look at Brendan’s video and yes it’ really helpful, Thanks again, Phil