ZOOM

[Rich35]

 Definitely  it was a Great time
   Getting together on Thursdays  zoom ,is really  Good Time
 and keeps me with a purpose to stay practicing.
   

[Age]

Yeah! You tell'em guys! They obviously don't believe me. I dunno, maybe folks think I have "ulterior motives" or somethin' when I tout our Thursday afternoon "Zoomies."  FTR: I don't have any other motives! I just think they do us a lotta good.

Okay, I am an "audio person." (that's probably the reason I have such an impossible time grasping the concepts of written music. Duh! )  I'm all audio. Not like an audio engineer or anything; just a guy who remembers what goes in his ears more than other stuff, and as such, I tend to "record" (in my noggin) how folks play, and compare previous "recordings" with the new ones, and yes, I'm hearing improvements in everyone's playing, but now you know that others do as well.

I think maybe the "perceived" stress? that goes along with playing to an "audience" (yeah right ) is a key component in our progress.

So don't listen to me; just listen to the other guys who frequent our Thursday afternoon "Zoomies" every week. We average, I dunno, about eight or nine participants, and yes, we have a good time. (remember, we had nine yesterday)

@ge

[Age]

Bright and early this morning, (that means 9 AM for me ) I was awakened by a phone call from my ISP asking about any troubles I might have been having with my connection. She said there is a lotta interference with the web as a result of the hurricanes as well as some solar flare activity. (and other apocalyptical stuff ) that was messing stuff up all over the world. I remember Göran, myself and DannyG were experiencing some connection issues yesterday, and now, it's startin' to make sense; especially since some of it is still going with my internet connection .

@ge

[servus]

I can vouch for what Age says - I mean about the Zoom sessions not the solar flares. On my end everything seemed to be working fine except for my email program which Microsoft's "Defender" considers the enemy. Our Zoom sessions are lots of fun. Initially we were 11 yesterday till the solar flares messed things up. Lots of fun talk, exchanges on technique and maintenance and just playing and learning to relax while doing so. No, Age did not put me up to this endorsement. It's truly my opinion.

       PJ

[brorat]

In recent Zoom sessions, we've had a few discussions about repair and cleaning of our harmonicas ... particularly the disassembly and reassembly of the instruments.  As someone with an engineering background, taking stuff apart and putting it back together is not daunting to me.  I realize, however, that it certainly CAN be challenging to many! 

Yesterday during our session, I noted a few quirks about my instrument (Suzuki G48 w/ wood covers) that sounded a bit "off".  I notice this from time to time ... maybe every two to three months.  I've learned that, since I play this harp MOST of the time, it gets a little dirty and needs some TLC.  This morning, I did my normal "cleaning" of the harp, and I thought I'd share a few of my techniques (some would say pecsadillos ).  This demonstrate only one man's way of doing this job.  You may find a whole different way of approaching it, but then again, you may find some of what I do helpful. 

I find the whole secret to doing this work is being organized and a bit careful.  Here's what I did:

First, I have a small towel that I work on.  The towel helps me be able to SEE the small parts, and it keeps them from rolling around or falling off the counter.  I've included a couple of photos to help with seeing what I'm talking about.  I first remove the covers.  (Stick with me!  My approach can be considered weird!)  I put the top cover on the right, and the bottom on the left.  I put on set of the male/female fasteners in each cover. 
Next, I remove the mouthpiece and slide keeping it's screws and bumpers beside the mouthpiece.
Then, I remove the screws from the reed plates.  I loosen all the screws, then remove them and lay them on the towel in the same pattern that they were in the plates.  That way, I always put the same screws back into the same holes when I reassemble.  Don't really have to do this!  Again, I just figure if there's a unique quirk to one of the threads, it'll go back into the same place where I removed it.
Once I get the plates off, I carefully remove the spring from the comb and put it on the towel.
You can kinda see all the "pieces/parts" removed in the photo below.

I use an old toothbrush to clean the mouthpiece, slide, and comb while holding them under a gentle stream of warm water.  I then dry them THOROUGHLY before I begin to reassemble.

I use a piece of shim stock to run around each and every reed to make sure no small particles are keeping the reed from freely moving.  I use strips of coffee filter to clean the windsavers.  I put the paper strip under each windsaver, and while applying gentle pressure with my thumb, I pull the paper out from under the windsaver to clean the underside and the surrounding portion of the plate.  I then do the same thing to the "springy" piece of the windsaver by sticking the paper between the two section of the windsaver.  (Of course, one piece valves wouldn't have this step.  Next, I use my little "reed plunker" to plunk (plink?) each reed to listen for any "dull" or "thudding" sound ... usually indicating there's some dirt still there or the reed is out of alignment.  Once I'm satisfied with the sound of the plunking, I can begin the process of reassembly.

The first thing I do is put the spring back in place.  That's sometimes a bit of a chore, but a thumb on the coil area and a flat blade screwdriver to push the end back in place usually works.  Also, I put a SMALL dab of lube on the coil prior to reinstallation.
Don't know if that's required ... just another of my quirks.  Next step is reinstallation of the reed plates.  Making SURE I have the right plate in the correct position (believe me, I've put them on wrong before!  Harp sounds really weird that way!), I put the screws back into their original hole.  I put all the screws back into their holes before I begin any tightening.  I usually begin by tightening the center screw ... not completely, but just enough to hold the plates.  I then tighten all the screws to that same degree of "kinda tight".  Then, I start again with the center screw and tighten it fully and firmly, careful not to bear down so hard that i strip the head of the screw!  I alternate doing this from the center to the outside screws.  I'll tighten them alternately from one side to the other until they're all tight.  This way, I feel that any potential "warping" of the plate will be "pushed" to the outside and I'll have a better seat for both plates against the comb.

Then, I reinstall the slide/mouthpiece.  Before I do that, I use a very small amount of lube along the contact area of the mouthpiece, and on the slide itself.  I just put a drop between my thumb and forefinger, and run it along the slide.  VERY LIGHTLY!  I'll then set the slide in place, put the screws through the mouthpiece holes, put the "bumpers" on the screws, and put it all back together.  While tightening the two mouthpiece screws, I constantly work the slide to make sure it's not binding.

Finally, the two covers go on.  I always put the "female" part of the fastener through from the bottom cover, and the "male" part through the top cover.  (Another of my "AR" peccadillos!)  When those screws are tightened, I hopefully find no extra pieces/parts left on the towel, and I have a clean, functional instrument!

Hope this LONG explanation is helpful to someone!

[Age]

VEEEEERY close to the way I do it, Douglas, cept you're probably more careful than I am.

 I just cut to the chase and do the inside of my mouthpieces with a brillo/SOS pad. (have yet to see a reason not to)  Always gotta be careful to use the proper sized Phllips screwdriver and make sure you apply more than enough pressure to keep the blade from slipping, cuz that'll damage those screws toot sweet. Also, whenever I have EVERYTHING apart like that, I always do a quick "flatness check" on the three important surfaces, using a piece of marble, usually followed by a quick clean up with 300 grit wet sand paper.

I use a micro thin layer of ChapStick on the comb veins to assure the best reedplate seal. The flatter everything is, the less tightness is required to get a nice tight axe (cuz those little brass reedplate screws threads strip easily.

On the slide assembly, I always check for burrs by looking for corresponding "hash marks" on "contacting" surfaces like the inside of the the MP or (U-channel) on my old 270's. Then I like food grade silicone on the whole assembly, a micro dot of Vaseline on the spring tip and a tiny bit of "Astro-Glide" on the spring end of the slide.

There's my 2 cents


@ge

[servus]

Thanks for the useful information, Doug and Age. Alas, the tips are only partially usable for me. You see, the Seydel Symphony is another animal. Covers come off individually. Slide mechanic is different from Suzuki, Hohner etc.. Mouthpiece is removed differently, and to top it off: no spring - at least not on my first Symphony. The previous owner of the second Symphony I recently bought used (good price) had Seydel replace the magnetic slide with a spring. It may jump at me some day. Some of your techniques I will most certainly use. Other routines I'm going to have to just figure out.

        PJ

[Age]

See whatta fun place this is?

[Age]

Don't forget the Zoom meeting Tomorrow at 4 PM EST

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85493760547?pwd=S29sRzAvWkJYKzI3ZFc5dEs1c1BpZz09#success

[brorat]

Have fun guys and girls!  Hope to see you next week.

[Age]

Yeah, have fun and stay safe, bro.
We'll save a slot for ya bro!

Have that "Flight of the Bumble Bee" ready fir next time, okay?

[Age]

Zoomer at 4
see you there!

@ge

[brorat]

Sorry I missed the Zoom yesterday.  I got home after a 5 hour drive from VA to SC on I-95 at 4PM, and frankly didn't even have the energy to sign on!   Janet and I have been really on the go ... Philadelphia, Lewes, DE, North Myrtle Beach, SC, Franklin, VA and now back to Columbia SC.  It was fun but tiring, and got me behind on lots of fronts ... including playing my harmonicas! 

I'll be at home next week, and am looking forward to being "back in the saddle"!

See you all then.

[Rich35]

 brorat
  It was just Great as Always , 

[Age]

Yep, they're never the same, (not even a little bit ) but always fun. I think we had what, nine or ten yesterday?  Sure, we played but we also did a lot more talking than usual. A lot like this forum, but without having to type, then wait for an answer.   PJ, Göran and I were yacking well past the "cut-off" time, so we had Germany, Sweden and Cleveland, Ohio.

[Age]

Zoomer @ 4 PM

[brorat]

Zoomers one and all!!!
I will NOT be among the group on this Thursday, 11/14.  Janet and I are heading to the beach to celebrate our anniversary.
I'll be back the following week.
Have fun, learn something, and don't talk badly of me!

[Age]

Well, Happy Happy to you two lovebirds!
Have a nice time. Guess you'll just hafta miss my "Flight of the BumbleBee."

Age

[brorat]

Change of plans.
I WIIL be Zooming tomorrow but not next week.
Hey!  I don’t call the shots around here😂😂

[Age]

Wonderbar!
That's right, I meant I'm doing FOTBB next week.

[Gnarly He Man]

Wonderbar!
That's right, I meant I'm doing FOTBB next week.

https://youtu.be/MaUQBiKnPSc?si=2NaJlzcA0__09wX_
Cy Leo on the lead.
Just so you have something to practice along with 

[Age]

Zoomer comin' up at 4:00 EST
Be there!

[brorat]

Wonderbar!
That's right, I meant I'm doing FOTBB next week.

Yeah, right😂😂😂

[dtep]

Hello All,
I’ll probably miss today’s Zoom meeting. I’m in Los Angeles meeting my newest grandchild Jack, who was born the day after Thanksgiving!  Have a great session!

[brorat]

We’ll miss you Dan, but what a great reason to be “absent”!!  Janet and I have 8 grands ranging from 18 down to 7 years. Being their “Pop” is a real blessing.
See you soon!

[brorat]

Janet and I will be on the road tomorrow. Heading to Fairfax VA to attend a memorial service for her uncle.
I’ll be back next week. Was thinking that in the new year we might set up a Zoom so Rich, Dave …whoever…might tutor some of us in using BIAB. I’m seriously considering purchasing the basic package. Just a thought.
Have fun tomorrow. See you next week.

[Age]

Well, I'll try to remember to show up.
Whoever shows up, try to do at least one Christmas number..

[dtep]

 I’m still in Los Angeles. I hope to see you all next week. Have a good session!
Dan

[Age]

My "system" crashed just after the middle of the meeting.   Jury's still out but I think the automatic Zoom update might have played a part. No worries; even if that ain't the problem, I have three other computers.
See y'all again next week!


@ge

[RichChrome]

Sorry for the crash as we missed your playing. Ain't technology grand!