Advices for Use

Key sticker

You will find in the box a sticker corresponding to the key of your harmonica. You can place it as you wish on the covers of your A R K I A.

 

Adjustment

A presetting has been made by us on your A R K I A Origin: varnish has been applied to the base of the reeds, and the angle between each reed and its plate has been adjusted. Our aim is to propose a quite “open” adjustment so that if fits with many different ways of playing, and still get easy playable overnotes for the harmonicists who can play them.
You are free to complete this adjustment if you feel the need.

 

Disassembly and reassembly

If you have to disassemble your instrument, we advise you to tighten the screws only slightly when reassembling it. The reed plates must adhere well to the comb, without compressing it. The minimum tightening is what will give the best results

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Maintenance of the instrument components

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1. Covers and reed plates

Brush the covers and reed plates with a soft brush, such as a toothbrush, and hot water with a drop of washing-up liquid. For the reeds, make sure to brush gently in the direction of the reed, from the rivet to the end of the reed. Dry gently with paper towels.

 

2. The ACC Comb

Plunge the comb into hot water, possibly with a drop of washing-up liquid. Gently scrub the comb with a soft brush, such as a toothbrush. Rinse with hot water and dry with paper towels.

 

3. The ACP plate

Run the plate under cold water, possibly with a drop of washing-up liquid. Rinse with cold water and dry with paper towels.

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Security

Like all harmonicas, reeds can get damaged over time, or even split. To avoid injury, be careful and don't hesitate to change the reed or reed plate if you feel that a natural note becomes difficult to play, or that its pitch has dropped abnormally.

Do not leave your harmonica in the sun or in extreme temperatures, cold or hot.

 

Playing tips

Your A R K I A was designed by and for harmonicists. 
It has been developed over a long period of time to give you an incomparable "out-of-the-box" playing experience. It has been settled to allow you to easily produce bends and overnotes. All you have to do is play and explore its possibilities. 
Like all wind instruments, the harmonica is played by using the entire air column to blow and draw. This is achieved by inflating the belly when you breathe in and retracting it when you blow out, without forcing, without using the abdominals.
This is particularly true for A R K I A harmonicas, which would be more sensitive to playing with too much force or too much using the throat instead of the whole air column.
Do not inflate the cheeks when you blow, do not draw with the throat when you inhale, and try as much as possible to play bends and overnotes only by changing the position of your tongue, without using the jaw which remains almost closed.

By doing so, you will extend the life of your harmonicas, and your playing will be more accurate and more fluid.