Funny thing about learning bends...

["Keith Freeman" <keith.freeman@xxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Russ,
> Soaking diatonics used to be a fairly widespread practice for people
> into blues harp. 
> water (or vodka) caused the wooden comb to swell, making the harp more
> airtight, thus requiring less wind for volume, making bends easier,
> etc. 
That's interesting. I've read that bends are easier, the more airtight the harp is, but in 
this case it's a plastic comb, so the comb swelling can't be the cause. I wonder if the 
water is making something more airtight (perhaps the mouthpiece?) or whether it's the 
water in the channel that's making bending easier (if so, how?) or water actually on the 
reed (ditto?).

- -Keith Freeman