Re: Bending hole 5.??????

[" B.G. de Boer" <boerb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Gordon,

If we are going to look at it from a scientific point of view, I think we must
vote for your fourth option. According to the guy that investigated harp-bending
from a physic's point of view, the highest reed in a certain hole can only be 
bent down to just above the pitch of the higher reed. This would mean that a 
5 draw can not be bent down a complete semitone. Unfortunately I have his article
at home, so I wouldn't now the title and the name of the researcher. I will post
the details later. If you're into physics its really worthwhile to read it.

But although you cannot get a real tone from the chromatic scale by bending the
draw 5, this doesn't mean that you can't use it in songs. People before me on the
list have pointed out that many players use it to great effect. 

Now I wouldn't know anything about the draw 5 bend damaging the reed easier
than othe bends...
Hope this is of any help.
Bart de Boer,
boerb@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

(P.S. I'll try to post the info on the article ASAP)