[Harp-L] closed covers

[Captron100@xxxxxxx]

In a message dated 9/4/04 5:32:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time, Tim Moyer wrote:

> I have heard that Howard Levy is using Special 20 covers on his 
> customized harmonicas, specifically without opening the backs, to 
> try and hide some of the bright, brassy tone associated with heavily 
> embossed reedslots.  While I can't confirm the reasoning here, I can 
> confirm that Howard's gig kit contained nearly entirely harps with 
> S20 covers, not opened up.  

  The recent posts re Howard Levy reminds me of an interesting story that 
i've never shared.  Must be 5 or 6 years ago by now - I picked up Howard at the 
airport and took him to a workshop that our friend, Harp-L'er Rob Paparozzi, 
ran prior to the first (i think) Harpin' for Hunger concert in NJ (at the Stone 
Pony?). 
  Remembering one of the most hotly debated subjects I ever read on this list 
("comb materials debate", i think it was called), I took the opportunity to 
ask Howard his opinion.  So I asked simply and point blank, "Do u think that 
the material that the comb is made of affects the tone of the harp?"   His vocal 
inflection when he replied, "Of course", made me suspect that he thought it 
was without question.  I refrained from telling him of the scientific tests run 
by Harp-L'ers at the harp conventions, and that the results of the tests 
showed that the listener could not tell the difference in the sound of the harp 
based on comb materials.  I felt that nothing i could tell him would affect his 
opinion.
  Here's something i learned in a comprehensive apptitude test that i once 
took - according to the Johnson O'Connor aptitutude testing center, a chief 
personality trait is something the research center defined as "subjective" and 
"objective" personality.  One type is not better than the other, just different, 
with some types better suited for different tasks in life.  There are 
different degrees of objectivity and subjectivity in personalities, but simply put, 
objective personalities tend to see the large picture and work well in 
conjuntion with others.  Subjective personalities tend to rely more on their own views 
and don't work as harmoniously in settings where they are dependent upon 
sharing the opinions of others.  It was said that, generally speaking, professions 
where subjectives do well include consultants, lawyers and professional 
musicians.  Professions of objective personality types: teachers.  (Hmm, I wish i 
could remember more, but it's been a long time.)  Just a little insight into 
some of the things that go into the making of a person.
  Another interesting thing re this drive from the airport - after a stop at 
a diner where we ate breakfast, Howard excused himself from conversation, 
saying he wanted to warm up in prep for the seminar.  I heard him working on a 
toungue blocking technique that i had never heard of at the time - he was 
practicing an octave riff where he played the run on the higher end of the harp while 
simultaneously bending the lower notes!
  At the time he was playing Filisko customized harps - Hohners with plastic 
combs, iirc, but don't quote me on that last one.
ron