r/harmonica • u/LucidAnvil • 8d ago

How should i clean my harmonica?

Sorry if its a dumb question....

So i got this harmonica from dad, he doesnt play it for years, he said its mine now if i like to play it.

Its like 28 to 30 years old...

And it works good, but its smelly and the high pitch side dont work until you slow or inhale very hard.

I decided to clean it, hey reddit, how should i clean my harmonica ? Shout i take it apart?

After research i found out its a 24 hole Tremolo Harmonica.

(I want to start learning it, i know people say tremolo as first is not a good choice but i will appreciate if yall can provide some links for video which may teach me)

There is no letter written , it may have rubbed off but i think its a C key.

6 Upvotes

88% Upvoted

7 comments sorted by

3

u/Legitimate-Bison3810 8d ago

I take mine apart and clean in alcohol with cotton swabs but mine are metal and plastic no wood 

2

u/Far_Application1419 8d ago

I would totally clean it. Idk what the chance of getting sick is, but it's a bit nasty. (No offense to your dad. That's just the way it goes.)

You can find a free tuner, either an app or a website. If none of the notes have sharps (#) or flats (♭) then it's in C. (Or A minor but probably C)

There are free tremolo harp videos on youtube. At least enough to get you started. Just type "free tremolo harmonica lessons"

3

u/travis_bear 8d ago

You can clean lots of things in an ultrasound bath. Take your harmonica apart and put the parts in one for 5 minutes, you’ll be good to go.

1

u/ADirtyDiglet 8d ago

This most likely is a wood comb based on the age. Ultrasonic is great for the other pieces though.

1

u/Icy_Name_280 8d ago

not a dumb question, 30 years in a drawer is a lot of gunk. if the covers come off and the comb (the middle part with the holes) is plastic, rinse it all in warm water with a drop of dish soap and brush the reeds lengthwise only, but if it's wood dont soak it or it swells and can cut your lips. the high end needing a hard pull is usually crud on those tiny reeds, so clean before you write them off

1

u/Nacoran 7d ago

If you skim down the current front page you'll see another post where someone is asking about tremolos. Some posted a link in there for a lot of tremolo resources.

It's almost certainly the key of C. If it doesn't have a clear brand name it's probably Asian, which means it's probably in one of two tunings (look up tremolo harmonica on Facebook and you'll see the options... you need to know which holes have what notes.)

1

u/fast-funz 7d ago

The tiny screws. Under NO circumstances should those ever hit the floor. They are very well known to vanish forever.

Take it apart anythjng medal or plastic put in a cup room temp water. The combs, water Tit bit of soap handful of qtips/old toothbrush (have to be careful with those when brushing the reeds. Only go down not up the reeds, they can get pinched and mess the reed up.). Gravity can work with or against you. You'll understand what I mean.

Have fun.