Re: [Harp-L] Valved players unite!

[Pierre <slavio@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Ben said:
> I have both Rochard's records and there's nary a valve insight, AFAIK...

I thought Richard used valved harps to achieve chromaticity when not using Chromatics. I guess some wires got crossed in my brain.

> but I don't see why you would need to cherry pick less

Because overblows and overdraws sound "odd" compared to other notes. Used as passing notes they are OK, but I doubt you cold play something real slow and melodic like the Girl For Ipanema or Smile in keys with lots of sharps and flats. I suspect a single OB/OD in the wrong place can really kill certain songs. Question is, can a valved harp do much better?

I think I am wishing for a harmonica like instrument that can compete in versatility with a sax. I have to stop thinking this way, its not going to happen. Each instrument has its own genius and limitations.

Pierre.


 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Planet Harmonica 
  To: Pierre ; harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
  Sent: Tuesday, May 17, 2005 1:41 PM
  Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Valved players unite!


  << I think Richard Hunter has demontrated that a valved harp is a fine 
  instrument. Hope more people do like he does as diversity is great.>>

  Has he ?

  I have both Rochard's records and there's nary a valve insight, AFAIK...

  People who heavily rely on valves would be Brendan and the guy who got banned a few years back whose name escapes me... And Brendan doesn't use 'em for bends. 

  Still, I think it's a valid approach, but I don't see why you would need to cherry pick less. Cherry picking for a good overblower (ie not me) is not because of how easy the overblows are, but because of which sweet bends are going to be where in the scale, etc. That would still be true for half-valved instruments. I don't think I've ever heard anyone play full-valved diatonic chromatically, and while I'm sure it's possible, I don't really see the point. You'd be losing all that makes the diatonic sound like a diatonic. By that stage, playing a chormatic sounds like a better option...

  Ben

  PS : And as far as full chromaticity is concerned, don't foget Eric Chafer's approach on augmented tuned diatonic...


  Pierre.
















  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: "Paul Bowering" <paul_bowering@xxxxxxxxx>
  To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
  Sent: Monday, May 16, 2005 10:37 PM
  Subject: [Harp-L] Valved players unite!


  > Because I only discovered this list a few months ago
  > I've had some 12 years of archives to read up on. All
  > the things I didn't know were possible all came in
  > fell swoop. As a result I've been concurrently trying
  > overblowing, half-valving, altered tunings, etc. While
  > this has been great fun I soon want to decide which
  > path to pursue permanently.
  >
  > Although uncommitted I'm leaning toward half valving.
  > I like its expressive possibilities and think I could
  > get a handle on controlling the bends. There don't
  > seem to be a lot of players using valves, at least in
  > comparison to the number of overblowers. Why is this?
  >
  > I've had success with overblow but those overdraws
  > don't seem to hold out much promise for me. The reeds
  > seem real finicky and getting the note to sound is hit
  > and miss at best. (As a side note for those also
  > having this difficulty; try using a spiral tuning
  > where the blow note is always the lower pitch in any
  > hole. With this set up I could overblow all ten holes.
  > Of course this tuning presents its own peculiarities).
  >
  > Anyway, I'd to hear from folks who've tried both
  > approaches. Strong opinions are welcome but you should
  > have at least given each method an honest try.
  > Ultimately I know it's whatever suits me best but I'm
  > just lookin for a feedback about benefits and
  > obstacles you've encountered with each.
  >
  > Thanks in advance,
  >
  > Paul B.
  >
  >
  >
  > Yahoo! Mail
  > Stay connected, organized, and protected. Take the tour:
  > http://tour.mail.yahoo.com/mailtour.html
  >
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