RE: [Harp-L] Bushman Delta Frost harmonicas in bluegrass

["" <harpgawd@xxxxxxxxx>]

"Steve Shaw" <moorcot@xxxxxxx> wrote:  
> I think the XB40 falls down quite badly in the areas Tony was talking about. 
>   They are loud...but that's about it.  They have a strangely dry tone 
> (though whether listeners would pick up on that is another matter), but they 
> certainly don't respond to light pressure and the reeds respond quite 
> sluggishly.  After a few minutes' practice with one of these I feel I've 
> increased my lung capacity by about a litre, and If I then pick up a SP20 
> I'm in danger of blasting the reeds to kingdom come.
> 
> Steve

With all due respect, I disagree. I find the XB-40 to be an ideal choice
for a live bluegrass setting that includes the harmonica. First of all,
standard bluegrass instrumentation of fiddle, banjo, mandolin, guitar
and upright bass is LOUD! I don't care how well one can project a
harmonica, a standard diatonic has difficulty cutting through. Banjos
can't be played soft. Fidlles have difficulty with that as well but
more importantly their tambre is very similar to a harmonica and the
harp gets drowned out. 

I agree that the XB-40's tone isn't that of a standard 10-hole but
that's beside the point when playing bluegrass live. If recording, you
can play anything you want.

I find the XB-40 to be very responsive. There was a learning curve
initially but I learned I didn't have to play or bend as hard to get
the note I wanted. I find it can be played with a very light touch and
still get plenty of volume. I have several and they all have their time
and place but are NOT a replacement for a standard diatonic. The high
D's top end is useless but for most of the rest I find they get the job
done.

In regards to bluegarss, try playing 'Over The Waterfall', 'Hot Turkey'
or 'Shitake Swing' on a standard harp. Can't be done without valving or
being a king of the overblow - at high speed I might add. The XB-40 has
all the bends to play these and many other songs. 

BTW, while many of the fiddle tunes are in the major scale and1st
position, fiddle tunes are modal and there are lots and lots and lots
of 'em that utilize 2nd and 3rd and positions inbetween all three.

When I want to just pick up a harp and play I never reach for the XB-40
unless I'm working on something specific.

Bobby