Re: [Harp-L] My "unused" 7-10 holes

[Ken Hildebrand <airmojoken@xxxxxxxxx>]

Bob,

Be careful using the word 'overblow' for holes 7-10.

I think you may be refrerring to a 'blow-bend' where
you are flattening the blow note--not sharpening or
raising the pitch of the note.

Holes 8, 9, and 10 will blow-bend; hole 10 had 2 blow-
bend notes.

I find the Lee Oskars blow-bend just fine on the
upper octave, not much different than my other harps
(like Seydel and Hohner marine bands).

Refer to Mike Will's website for a narrative on
blow bends (under BENDING) at:

http://www.angelfire.com/tx/myquill/

If you were actually referring to overblows,
there is information there as well.

My overblowing is limited at this point, so I can't
help you there.

Ken H in OH

--- Bob Laughlin <rlaughlin@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> I'm primarily a diatonic player, so this question
> relates to diatonic harps.
> 
> I've played for years, but shy away from the upper
> four holes, mostly because on the Lee Oskars I
> typically play, I :
> 
> 1) can't get an overblow to work, or work well, and
> you know how bad it sounds when you try, and it
> doesn't happen. It's like learning the violin,,,
> 
> 2) can't consistently get the upper reeds to respond
> at all, and haven't decided whether it's me, or the
> harp.
> 
> I pretty much have neglected the upper four holes
> for quite some time, and envy those of you who
> actually USE these holes. I find, when listening to,
> for instance, Kim Wilson or Jason Ricci playing in
> 1st position, that there is a note "up there" that,
> when overblown, just fits the picture. If I knew how
> to make those holes happen, I'm sure I'd be
> utilizing them too. Why waste money on eight unused
> reeds?
> 
> But here I am, blaming it on the brand of harp, but
> knowing that I could be wrong. Maybe it's me,,
> 
> So, tell me, is it the harp, or is it me?
> 
> I have to say that others here have mentioned, to my
> recollection, that LO's do have a high-pitch
> "squeal" to them on those high reeds. I think I've
> also read that LO's are not very "overblow
> friendly". Is there a way to overcome that
> "unfriendliness"? Or not?
> 
> Are Lee Oskars "tweak friendly", or is there a
> reason that customizers seem to usually use another
> brand to tweak?
> 
> I also own a few Hohner Pros, and a "C" Golden
> Melody, a  "Bb" Marine Band, and a "D" Big River. If
> any of these are more "friendly" in the upper
> register, please let me know which ones, so I could
> make attempts at getting used to having a "full
> harp" bag of tricks.
> 
> Eventually, I may have to force myself to take the
> next step, and try customizing my own harps. I used
> to tweak my Marine Bands back in the sixties, to
> bring back an unresponsive reed, and had some
> limited success. I can't afford the big bucks
> customizers on my limited income, so it's on me, if
> it's on at all. If I DO tweak my own harps, should I
> start with the LO's or some other brand?
> 
> Any advice?
> 
> BL
> 
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