>What if the problem is your 3-draw simply won't bend >anymore? Do I try the same method? OR, based on >some of the theory I've heard, do I tune the blow >reed instead? (And if so, how?).
Tuning is not what's needed, unless the pitch of the un-bent reed has changed.
Bending involves both the blow and the draw reed. If either one of them has a problem, it could affect bending.
Do both reeds work normally? If either one plays weakly or not at all, there could be something in the reed slot obstructing its motion - a bit of lint, etc.
Take off the covers and examine both reed slots for Hole 3.
Given the age of the harps, it's possible that one of the reeds is fatiguing and about to break (maybe the blow reed if the draw reed works normally when you don't bend).
Loss of airtightness can also affect bending. But unless you've taken the harp apart and not put it back together correctly, or have run over it with a car or some such thing, the airtightness of the reedplates and comb probably haven't changed.
Gapping can also affect bendability. But if the note bent before and doesn't now, and you haven't been poking into the holes with sharp instruments, that probably hasn't magically changed all by itself, either.
I'm betting it's either an obstruction of the blow reed, or oncoming reed fatigue.
Winslow
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