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Date: Sat, 15 Dec 2001 17:03:04 -0500
From: Richard Biow
Subject: Saving lots of $$$$

Been playing chromatics for about half a century, strictly for my own
pleasure. I'm not a pro, because I can make more money more securely
in another area. Also, I never bend notes because, if I wanted to, I'd
probably do it the easy way with a soprano saxophone. So that's my
perspective.

>From this viewpoint, after you can change valves freely (which is
easy), what ultimately beats a harmonica to death? Overblowing, yeah,
but there's no reason to do that. What's left, I suggest, after metal
fatigue, is food.

Old food, from between the teeth, that gets carried by breath moisture
into the harp, where it lands all kinds of places and proceeds to
corrode whatever it is stuck too, especially reeds. If it weren't for
that process, we might see harmonicas begin to least as long as some
accordions, right?

One solution, I've found, is the Water Pic. Use it whenever possible
before playing, which certainly includes at home before practicing. If
you've never tried one of these overpriced water pistols, give one
this test: Floss and brush and rinse until you are blue in the face
and - after that -- use the Pic as directed over a basin with the
stopper closed. You'll find all kinds of debris washing out that you
never even knew even knew was in town -- stuff that would otherwise
land finally in reed slots.

Regular use makes harps last *much* longer. And at today's prices . .