Re: [Harp-L] Howard Levy overblows out of the box

Philharpn@xxxxxxx · Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:44:28 EDT

Just because Howard can overblow ANY harp doesn't mean that everyone else has 
the potential and   if they can't, they need to work more on their technique. 
Howard could probably overblow a tin whistle. But then he's HOWARD. 

Harps that work for overblows and overdraws have the "right" set up or reed 
adjustment. It's not all pilot error if the technique doesn't work on a given 
harp. I've got a box of new cheap harps (for a class) that just barely bend on 
the first or second holes. I have a Hohner Bluesband -- Hohner's least 
expensive harmonica in the U.S. It plays and bends effortlessly.   

A properly set up hamonica overblows better than one that is not. And 
nowadays, some firms make harps that work right out of the box. 

That's the sense I got from several people who responded to my question who 
are overblowers and know the difference. This explains why people who overblow 
on a regular basis send their harps off to be tweaked. Their existing harps 
will overblow; they just want them to overblow better.

These are what the experts from the Harp List   said:

One said: Another said: "The 1847 overblows decently on Holes 4, 5, and 6 out 
of the box. For a harp that both overblows and overdraws out of the box, 
Suzuki Fire Breath or Pure Harp might be better choices."

Another said: " Besides the 1847 I can overblow 4,5 and 6 on a Solist Pro and 
Favorite and I'm not that good an overblower. The Seydel Big Six overblows 4 
5 and 6. I can get some Marine Bands to do the same...."

A third said: "The SuzukiÂ Fire Breath is IMHO the best stock harp when it 
comes to
overbends. All OBs and all ODs work pretty good out of the box. The
Seydel 1847 is also pretty good with overblows.... Herings 1923 vintage harp 
does not allow overbends as easily as the two mentioned above, but still it 
works, same with the Hohner Classic
harps (MB/MBDL, SP20, Golden Melody)."

My buddy   was in a car accident and asked his doctor if he would be able to 
overblow a harmonica after his recovery. The doctor assured him he could. "Hey 
doc, that's great," my buddy said. "I couldn't even PLAY harmonica before the 
accident."

As always, both individual technique and the adjustment of individual harps 
play a part.

In a message dated 3/28/08 4:31:04 AM, Ansel.Barnum@xxxxxxx writes:

> Every flummoxed overblower wants to believe itâs the harp (dammit!) which 
> is defectiveâ-not the
> player. Believe me, I know! I wish a pro would pick up my harp and struggle 
> as much as I, confirming
> what certainly must be the source of the problem: the gear. Well, last 
> weekend I got my wish,
> although the outcome was not what Iâd hoped.
> 
> During a break at Howard Levyâs workshop in NYC, a student came up to him 
> and asked the perennial
> question: Is it possible to overblow an out of the box harmonica? Howard 
> looked down at the suspect
> Marine Band in the clutches of the humble inquirer, asked if it was new (â
> almostâ came the earnest
> answer), rolled his eyes with a what-the-hell, and extended a trusting hand 
> to accept the instrument
> in question. To an audience of incredulous ears and jaws agape, he ran up 
> and down the ten holes of
> the stock Marine Band like it was a custom Filisko. Well, almost. After 
> blowing musical brilliance
> through the $20 toy, he declared, âNot bad, although it doesnât overdraw.â 
> Of course, at the speed
> he played the fusillade of notes, youâd never know.
> 
> When he handed back the harp to its owner, there was smoke pouring from the 
> vents in the cover
> plates. The wooden comb surprisingly hadnât caught fire, but the equipment 
> excuse long blamed by
> frustrated overblowers had been burned to ashes.
> 
> 
> Ansel
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