Re: [Harp-L] Re. Powerbenders, powerdraw tunings, and Sub30s...

[Eric Miller <miller.eric.t@xxxxxxxxx>]

After reading your excellent guidance and watching all the videos, I'm
going to go with an A Manji in Powerbender tuning.

I'm only a few months into the richter tuning, and nothing is really so
stuck in my head that I can't re-learn it.

Also, if I'm going to make the larger learning commitment...might as well
treat myself to a slightly nicer harp.

Placing order now, Brendan.  Thanks again.

-ETM


On Wed, Dec 26, 2012 at 3:34 AM, Brendan Power <bren@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> Thanks to Eric for your queries: ââshould I be considering a powerdraw
> tuned harp first, and then *graduate *to a powerbender? Or will I be fine
> with jumping straight to the powerbender? - What are the fundamental
> differences between the powerbenders and the sub30s?â To answer:
>
>
>
> PowerDraw is a combination of Richter (holes 1-6) and PowerBender (7-10).
> If
> youâre comfortable with holes 1-6 as they are, the PowerDraw is the easiest
> choice, as it only alters the top end. You can simply tack soulful high-end
> draw bending riffs to the stuff you already know lower down.
>
>
>
> PowerBender is more of a commitment, as you have to re-learn the middle
> octave too. The advantage is that you get all the middle octave overblows
> as
> simple draw bends.
>
>
>
> As Gnarley says, the SUB30 is a model, not a tuning. It comes in stock
> Richter, and the extra bending means you can stick entirely with the
> familiar Richter tuning but get all the bends available in PowerBender (and
> more) - though in a different way. You can hear the flavour of the new
> bending ability on this video:
>
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVWX2iKKWPA
>
>
>
> However, like any harmonica, the SUB30 can be tuned to other tunings. I
> play
> mine in PowerBender and Paddy Solo so far. You can hear a custom SUB30 in
> PowerBender tuning (key of A) on the second track in the playlist on this
> page (from 3:53):
>
> http://x-reed.com/products.php
>
>
>
> I think the advent of the triple-reed harp type (of which the SUB30 is the
> first) will mean in future that there is less incentive for players to try
> alternate tunings for extra bending, as they can now get all the extra
> chromatic notes and flavours they want by simple bending expression on the
> stock Richter tuning. Personally I still like my alternate tunings because
> of the note layout (all draws higher than all blows), but if youâre
> familiar with Richter and want extra bends, the SUB30 is the simplest
> option. Itâs currently more expensive than  standard harps, only comes in
> three keys, and benefits from hand customisation to make playability and
> response comparable to a normal twin-reed harp, but if money is not an
> important issue, custom options are available.
>
>
>
> I guess this hasnât given you a categorical answer to your question âWhich
> harp shall I buy?â. There is no simple answer! But I hope itâs given you
> more information so you can make that decision for yourself.
>
>
>
> Brendan Power
>
> WEBSITES:  <http://www.brendan-power.com/> www.brendan-power.com â
> www.x-reed.com
>
> FACEBOOK:  <http://www.facebook.com/tethnik> www.facebook.com/tethnik
>
> YOUTUBE:  <http://www.youtube.com/BrendanPowerMusic>
> www.youtube.com/BrendanPowerMusic
>
>
>
>