Harmonica Cleaning and Maintenance: 7 Simple Tips

Would You Like Your Harmonica To Last A Long Time And Stay Free Of Rust?

Check Out This Free Audio Recording from Expert Harmonica Teacher JP Allen >>

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Tagged with: harmonica cleaning • harmonica maintenance

Responses to This Article

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  Amir Hosein

  You’re Amazing man , i’m from iran , and what u teach is like “Gold” in our country , cause here nobody knows what a Harmonica is …

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  JP Allen

  Hey Amir!!!!

  I just got your message. Like gold in my heart.

  Warmly,

  jp

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  Gerald Fry

  Some good tips there J.P.; I have never experienced problems with rust in a harp unless it is a very old hand-me-down but the thing to be cautious about with an old harmonica, particularly if it has a wooden comb, is the possibility of mould growth which can be very hazardous to health if inhaled. I never let others play my harps, mainly for hygiene purposes but you have given me a few more good reasons. Thanks .
  kind regards, Gerald.

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  JP Allen

  Hey Gerald,

  Thanks for the feedback on the wooden combs. I never knew that and it makes sense. Particularly for people who live in humid places in the world…. Like me in Kauai, Hawaii.

  Thanks!

  jp

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  Bill Prohs

  Another thing that one could do to help dry out their harmonica is place a packet of silica gel desiccant crystals in the harmonica case. These can be purchased in various sizes and can be found included with many of the common products we purchase. These generally say do not eat or discard. They are really harmless and readily absorb excess moisture. Once saturated they can be dried out in your oven on low heat.

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  JP Allen

  Great idea!

  jp

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  Mark Kotula

  jp,

  I just picked up the harp after 20 years. I bought your cd package ’bout a year ago (It’s Great!). I’ve been playing in a rockabillie band for 10 months. We have opened for two nationals and been playing around town (Detroit ). You can check us out on face book. The bands name is “Yankee soil”the gig is at Harpos Detroit.

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  JP Allen

  Hey Mark,

  This is so great to hear.

  It’s actually a dream come true for me to find out that my complete lesson series has supported you in playing in a band.

  HOW COOL!!!!

  I get this feedback from tons of people all over the world and I never get tired of it.

  I’m so happy for you MARK!

  Keep it up!

  jp

  P.S. Will you email me at jp@harmonica.com and send me that link of your video. I’d love to see it!

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  Greg Willis

  I really liked what you had to say about giving your old harps away. I applaud you for that. I have giving away several guitars, organs and harmonicas over the years and the return has been fantastic… Several of the young kids I gave instruments to have become quite the musicians and there’s nothing better then to know you had a part in there love for music….Good job J.P
  Sincerely Greg M Willis

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  JP Allen

  Thanks Greg!!!!

  Seems to me that making others lives wonderful is just about the “funnest” game in town.

  And sharing music….that tops the cake for me.

  jp

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  gordon

  I learned to play the harmonica when I was around 8 years old, I am now 71. I have never put them down because there were so many memories attached to my harmonicas. Always Honer and always at my side. I never learned how to bend a reed but that’s ok as I never played anything other than Civil War songs and turn of the Centry songs. You have brought more to me than money can buy and I thank you for that. As for cleaning, all I ever did was take my hankercheif and one finger and dip it in my whiskey and wipe it down. Cleaned out the holes with a jack knife. Oh, by the way, I am now teaching the scale to elderly people who are blessed with COPD. I too have that lung problem. But with the harmonica I have learned all over again how to breath and I have licked my inability to walk, talk, and play the harp just because of needing to breath. Dam the COPD. Thanks again I am known as just the “Old Guy”.

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  JP Allen

  Hey “Old Guy” with the young spirit.

  If you can take a video of helping people with COPD that would be priceless.

  Many people don’t know how much harmonica is helping people with all sorts of chronic lung conditions (i.e. Lung Cancer, emphysema, asthma…)

  If you shoot the video I’ll post it on my blog. Together we can help a lot of people who are challenged by these heath conditions.

  Harmonica can make a huge difference in these people’s lives.

  You can send the video to jp@harmonica.com.

  Or you can just email me any time for any reason and I’ll do my best to serve the cause.

  With Love,

  jp

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  Carol Frink

  jp: Have appreciated your free lessons. Some day hope to be able to get the full lessons. I salute you on your service to the world! And I salute, Gordon, for his service to people with lung problems. I play fiddle with our local ‘fiddlers’ and we play for area nursing homes and senior meal sites, about 14 plays per month. We have an elderly veteran who played his harmonica in the trenches of France, etc and still plays with us. He had 1/2 of a lung removed recently due to cancer and while laying in the hospital recovering he asked the Dr when he could start playing his harmonica again and the Dr said, “That’s the best thing you can do for recovery!” So I’ve started playing harmonica in earnest! And the older people love to hear harmonica. Keep up the good work!

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  gordon

  Thank God for people like you……

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  JP Allen

  Receiving your blessings Gordon! And it feels good!

  jp

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  David b

  hi jp,

  im a big fan of you and harmoicas, and your dvd’s cd’s & website will help A,LOT with me learning the harmonica.

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  JP Allen

  Thanks David!

  I’m so glad my lessons are helping you.

  Keep in touch.

  I’d love to hear about your progress.

  jp

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  Jack C

  I play a Hohner Marine Band. I am very careful wiping down the front of the harmonica, so I tap dry it so that the wood does not catch on the cloth. Also, to keep out the moisture after I am done playing, I take an office depot cleaning duster (A pressurized air can, can be bought anywhere else), and use it beetween the combs, and throught the back of the harmonica where the reeds are. Do not spray it directly on the cover of the harmonica. Instead, use a non-staining disenfectant and then polish with a jewelry cloth. MOST IMPORTANTLY: Put your harmonica in its case when not playing, and tap the harmonica on your leg to remove moisture right after playing if you don’t have time to clean.

  THANKS JP, YOUR GREAT. GOD BLESS.

  Jack

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  Jack C

  An Office Depot pressurized can cleaning duster works great on the combs and the reeds to remove loose particles and dust on and in the harmonica. I forgot to mention in my comment above that this pressurized cleaner is MOISTURE AND RESIDUE FREE, SO IT WILL NOT DAMAGE THE HARMONICA OR CAUSE RUST!!! Great.

  Thanks for all you do JP.

  Jack

  [Reply]

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