Re: [Harp-L] Overbends on tremolo harps and the Discrete Comb

[Jerry Deall <jdeall@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Winslow, 
have you ever tried closing off the hole punched between the top and bottom chamber, as on some Hohner tremolos). 
Jerry 

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Winslow Yerxa" <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx> 
To: "Harp L Harp L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Monday, July 20, 2009 12:14:02 PM GMT -07:00 US/Canada Mountain 
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Overbends on tremolo harps and the Discrete Comb 

Actually, discrete chambers make overbends EASIER - no pesky opposing reed to interfere. That's the whole principle behind the Discrete Comb, my invention (I also was the first person to apply the term "discrete comb" to harmonicas). The Discrete Comb puts this capability in the format of a standard 10-hole diatonic. 

Tremolo harmonicas and the Discrete Comb allow you to isolate ANY reed on the harp (except ones where a hole is punched between the top and bottom chamber, as on some Hohner tremolos). 

When isolated, a reed will: 

-- bend down like a "valved bend", with no specific limit to how far the note will bend; that's a matter of reed adjustment and player skill 

-- bend UP on the opposite breath (draw bend on a blow reed, blow bend on a draw reed) and produce a stronger, more stable overblow or overdraw than you would get in a dual-reed system. 

At Jason Ricci's Harmonica Blow OFF on August 11, I will be playing an A-harp with a Discrete Comb on a tune called "The Tinge." "The Tinge" is also in A, so I'll be in first position. But half of the tune is in A minor, so I have to play overblows to get some of the minor notes, including Hole 1 overblow. Not only will I play that overblow, I will bend it UP two semitones, because the stability of the Discrete Comb allows for this. I'll also do some "valved" bending of notes that don't usually bend down, like Blow 6. 

WInslow 

Winslow Yerxa 

Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5 

--- On Sun, 7/19/09, David Payne <dmatthew@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: 
I had always thought that an overblow/overdraw was impossible on a discreet tremolo comb, with the separate chambers for each individual reed, like you see on tremolos. Well, I just overdrew a Seydel Shanty tremolo. Never say never, I suppose. Whenever I get some time, I foresee an ERIFAHS study on tremolos. 


Dave 
_________________________ 
www.elkriverharmonicas.com 




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