Re: [Harp-L] Harp Tech With Richard Sleigh

[Elizabeth Hess <TrackHarpL@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Oct 13, 2010, at 2:00 PM, joe leone wrote:

> >  I worked on tuning and replacing reeds, with Richard actively 
> > encouraging me to make every possible mistake in the shortest amount 
> > of time so as to compress the learning. “You have to accordion at 
> > least one reed, “ he said. (And I did. )
>
> What is his meaning for 'accordioning a reed'? Since I have worked on 
> them, I would be Veeeeery interested.

When you tune a reed, you file it from the free end towards the rivet 
end.  (I just now realize that I neglected to ask why.)  If you hold 
the file too low, or press too hard, the free end of the reed can catch 
on the teeth/grooves of the file and suddenly crumple up (like an 
accordion) in the time it takes to do one stroke with the file!  Whups! 
 Ruined reed!

Elizabeth