Re: Fwd: Re: Re: Harmonica range - and tremolo harp bending

[Joe Mahan <joe.mahan@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Winslow wrote:
> >The problem with some harps, like the Hohner Echo, is that there is
> >little hole punched in the wall between the top and bottom rows. This
> >is not to prevent bending. it's just to make sure that sloppy players
> >don't miss playing both rows if they don;t aim right. You can always
> >plug up the holes.

Steve replied:

>...but only the central holes are joined this way, not the the highest and
>lowest notes...which are unquestionably the hardest to play sweet on the
>Echo harps.  I've never worked out the reason for the perforations, but
>I'm...er...not entirely convinced by the sloppy players hypothesis.

I do recall reading a different explanation for the coupling of the upper 
and lower chambers, but I can't recall exactly what it was. It might have 
been on Ted Van Beek's site, which is currently down or gone. On a Suzuki 
Humming Tremolo, only the lowest three draw notes have coupled chambers. 
Since tremolo reeds are very thin and easily blown out, maybe it is a form 
of insurance.

Just because you can bend tremolo reeds, doesn't mean that you should. I 
suppose proper technique can minimize damage, but the cost of developing 
such a technique could be prohibitive. Check out:
http://perso.wanadoo.fr/bruno.kowalczyk/anglais/faqgb.htm