Re: Straight harp

[Mike Curtis <wd6ehr@xxxxxxxxxx>]

<A little supplemental information to Win's excellent treatise on straight 
harp, for those who play valved diatonic>

The lack of good blow bends in the middle octave is a major reason its 
usefulness is limited in blues stylings in first position.  Valved 
diatonics (with wind savers installed on the high reed in each hole) 
overcome this problem, allowing every note to be bent.

The examples below assume a typical 10 hole C valved diatonic.  Also, not 
knowing how to do ASCII harmonica tab, I'm using = for blow, + for blow 
bend, - for draw, and _ for draw bend.  I assume you can tell from the 
note whether it's a single, double, or triple bend.  If there's a 
standard for ASCII tab, I'll be more than happy to follow up with a 
"proper" translation.

This is one of the things I really like about valved diatonics.  Because 
you can bend both blow and draw notes, the entire harmonica is useful.  
The 5 blow bend produces a nice major-to-minor third bend.  Coupled with 
the 6 blow bend, one can play some really nice runs, like the following 
licks:

           3= 3_ 4=  5+ 5= 5- 6+ 6= 5+ 4= 4=
(5/8 rest) G  A  C | Eb E  F  F# G  Eb C  C |

6+ 6= 7_ 6- 6= 5+ 5= 6= 5=+                             =
Gb G  Bb A  G  Eb E  G  (E, and immediately bend to Eb) C

(This is an effective run combined, too!)

These are copies of notes you can easily get on the top 3 holes, but 
they're a lot more pleasant in the second octave.  However, you won't get 
as many dogs howling with the lower notes :-)  Also, because they're in a 
different octave, you can reuse the same runs, but with a totally 
different "feel" each time.

One tune I've recently added is Tony Joe Whites "Rainy night in Georgia",
(Brook Benton had the big hit on it, but TJW wrote it) which I play in
first position, starting on the low C (blow 1).  I make extensive use of
the bent blow 5 (Eb) and 6 (Gb) for some very effective bluesy voicings. 
I was playing at Rockfield Tavern (I do a single- electric harp, guitar,
and bass pedals- every other weekend), it was rainy outside, and the roof
was leaking right where I was playing, so I did it on the spur of the
moment for the first time - it just seemed like a natural at the time :-)
- and it went over very well, no doubt in great part due to the nice blow
bends available on the valved diatonic. 

If you'd like to valve your diatonics, Hohner will send you enough for 
one or two harps free.  They quoted me $12 per gross, but maybe if you 
ask nice, they'll cut you a better deal??

 -- mike
wd6ehr@xxxxxxxxxx