[Harp-L] Help with valved diatonic draw bends

[Jim Hanks <jhanks@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Coincidentally (with my review of PT Gazell's CD), I have recently 
acquired my first valved diatonic - it's a Seydel Fourkey tuning 
actually. At the advice of David Fairweather, I had all the reeds valved 
except for the 4 draw reeds that use a normal bend. I'm starting to get 
the valved blow bends. Not great yet, but it's coming. I'm not sure if 
I'm doing them right, but I'm getting pitch movement at least. Bending 
procedure is always hard to describe in words, but I'd say it's mostly a 
tightening/narrowing of the pucker with a slight jaw drop.

Anyway, my problem is that I can't seem to get the valved draw bends to 
work at all. I can get the normal draw bends (although the hole 2 'B' 
isn't as deep as it should be yet), but I can't get the draw notes to do 
anything other than choke off (or play their unbent pitch of course).

Any advice on what to try?

Thanks,
Jim