Harmonica Care, Maintenance and Repair

Harmonica care and maintenance

Harmonicas can be damaged by dirt getting into the reeds, so keep your harmonica in its box or case when you are not playing it. Don't carry it around loose in your pocket or bag, however clean it may appear to be. Kids love to carry the harmonicas around loose but in doing so the harmonicas' life will be shortened.

How to polish the harmonica casing?

To polish the harmonica casing, use a clean, soft, lint free cloth to polish.

How to remove crust built up?

If a crust builds up on the holes, you can remove this with a pin, but be careful not to damage the reeds.

How to repair the reeds?

Even if you do your best to maintain the harmonica, eventually the reeds will become damaged or blocked. If this happens, don't try to dismantle the harmonica case and fix the problem yourself. In doing so, you are likely to damage the harmonica more than making it better.

Harmonica repair

Some harmonicas can be repaired such as the chromatic harmonicas or the retailer or manufacturer may replace a faulty harmonica that has not been tampered with, but diatonic harmonicas are not expensive and you may just have to purchase new ones yourself.

Breaking in new harmonica

When it comes to breaking in new harmonicas, soaking the harmonica can make it easier to play, as this softens the reeds, and can increase the volume for an experienced harmonica player, but it also shortens the harmonica's working life greatly and can lead to playing problems as the wood casing expands and shrinks. All manufacturers advise against soaking. So, the best way to break in a new harmonica is to blow and draw through it gently for the first few days and to avoid excessive volume or bending notes until it feels less stiff to play. Once it is broken in, remember to warm up gently before playing.