Downward reed curvature!?

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

> The book pointed out the curvature, but didn't seem to explain it.
>   I am very curious why a downward curve is applied, could somebody
>   please help me find out the answer? thanx!
> 
>   I uploaded an excerpt at 
>     http://harmonica.cc.ccu.edu.tw/pic/reed_curvature.jpg

I shall be interested in the answer to this, too! Could it be that the direction of the curve 
is not important, it is simply easier to put an upward curve in a harmonica reed once it is 
fixed to the reedplate? (whereas the harmonium reeds are presumably manufactured 
with the downward curve before they are installed).

- -Keith