Re: [Harp-L] Bent overbends

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

True, all bent notes are weaker than unbent (even when I play them),
and part of learning to use them well is to compensate, partly by
working to make them stronger and partly in just smoothing out the
relative volume of notes in the line overall so that some don't fade
into the wallpaper and others don't jump out like hungry wolves (unless
you're going for that sort of an effect).

Winslow

--- Chris Michalek <chris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> Winslow, they are not weak when you play them or when I play or even
> when Rosco plays but they are weak in comparison to the other notes I
> we can play. That was my point and even Rosco should be able to
> understand that.
> 
> 
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Winslow Yerxa [mailto:winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx]
> >Sent: Tuesday, August 8, 2006 04:53 PM
> >To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
> >Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Bent overbends
> >
> >All bent notes are "weaker" than non-bent notes because the reed is
> >vibrating a note that it wasn't built to sound, and it delivers less
> >amplitude because it's vibrating less efficiently.
> >
> >But sustaining overblows and making them strong sounding is
> certainly
> >possible, and not that hard on a decently set up instrument. I've
> >played whole lines of sustained overblows, some of them bent up one
> or
> >two semitones - some here may remember a recording I made of a tune
> >called "The Tinge".
> >
> >Winslow
> >
> >--- In harp-l-archives@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, "Chris Michalek" <chris@...>
> >wrote:
> >
> >
> >I don't do it that much because to my ears it sounds terrible. I
> also
> >can't stand the sound of the disreet comb or the XB-40.  If I'm
> >playing arabic style music then I'm apt to start bending "odd" note
> >but other wise the OB's are really used in a quick flurry of notes.
> >OBs in general are pretty weak notes.
> >
> >
> >
> >>-----Original Message-----
> >>From: Paul Bowering [mailto:paul_bowering@...]
> >>Sent: Tuesday, August 8, 2006 03:27 PM
> >>To: harp-l@...
> >>Subject: [Harp-L] Bent overbends (was Suzuki Pure harp review)
> >>
> >>Chris M. wrote:
> >>
> >>>Bending the OBs up is a true problem because of the
> >>>short reeds. There are so few people that can 1.)
> >>>actually do it or 2.) hit the correct pitch or 3) can
> >>>do it but can't use it musically that I thought it
> >>>wasn't necessary to mention.
> >>
> >>I've loved the verstility of both the Overdrive and
> >>Discrete Comb. I use overbends for hitting a note
> >>crisply and 'valve' style bends for sliding into a
> >>note. Of course both these harp designs have their own
> >>quirks which make them a challenge to play.
> >>
> >>On regular harps I really miss the expressiveness of
> >>the isolated reed bends. Assume a 'C' harp. I can OB
> >>Hole 4 for the Eb. I can even bend it up to E natural
> >>(depending on the particular harp). I can't sustain it
> >>however and what I don't think feasible would be to
> >>hit that bent OB from a standstill. This is so
> >>desireable because musically, one would want to slide
> >>down from E to Eb just as much as slide up.
> >>
> >>Yeah, I've tried valved harps too. I like 'em on the
> >>blow bends but couldn't make any headway on the valved
> >>draw bends.
> >>
> >>I guess my question is for Chris or any other OB
> >>heavyweights that might be lurking. Is this something
> >>that can be done or do you just not bother with, say,
> >>the given example of a bend from E to Eb?
> >>
> >>Since I'm only looking for expression and would use OB
> >>to hit the missing notes one other approach might be
> >>to employ prebends. Just the slight, quartertone bends
> >>on Blows 4,5,6. How 'bout this option?
> >>
> >>Paul
> >>
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> >
> >
> >
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> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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> 
> 
> 


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