Re: RE: [Harp-L] Seydel Big Six is in

["steve@xxxxxxxxxxxx" <swebb@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Interesting.. I have a deep voice and find that G and A harps are easy for me to bend. I had never heard that theory before. 
Steve Webb in Minnesota

---- Tim Moyer <wmharps@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote: 
> Mark Lavoie wrote:
> > The C is such a high ocatve key, that is harder to bend, 
> > because the reeds are shorter than a Bb,A,Ab,G. I always 
> > carry my G for daily playing. If you can bend notes on an 
> > A, and G harmonica, the odds are in your favor to master 
> > bends on most keys.
> 
> I don't know about the Big Six specifically, but on a standard 
> diatonic the reeds are the same length for the key of C as for Bb, 
> A, Ab, and G.  Shorter reeds are employed by some manufacturers on 
> harmonicas keyed above C.  That said, reed length won't directly 
> affect the ability of a note to "bend".  
> 
> What *will* affect the bending of a note is the player's ability to 
> form the oral cavity into a resonating chamber that approximates the 
> pitch of the reed, then lower that resonant pitch to induce the 
> bend.  The keys at which a player can most easily accomplish this 
> will vary with the physiology of the individual.  The natural pitch 
> of a person's speaking voice is one indicator of where they might be 
> more comfortable.  Lower pitched voices will probably find it easier 
> to initiate bends on lower keyed harps.  
> 
> I personally love a C harp, and this is the key of choice for 
> my "pocket harp".  
> 
> -tim
> 
> 
> 
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