[Harp-L] Half valving, etc... + Questions

[Damien Masterson <dzm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

  When I was in Taiwan playing with William Galison, there was a  
couple of times when he had all of his harps apart on a table, and I  
noticed one of the 64's was half valved. It really peaked my  
curiosity, because I love the way Brendan and Bill Barrett bend their  
CX12's, and was silently wondering how I could acquire such  
flexibility on a Hohner 280 build chromatic. When William played, I  
didn't  notice him bending any more or less than what I expect to  
hear from a 64 Chrom in good shape. I still wish I would have pried  
and maybe even played that harp, to find out. It didn't sound like  
that CX12 whole note bend action I've heard others play. I really  
wish Hohner would make a CX16. Doesn't look like it's going to happen.

  My experience with the Koch harmonicas has been so negative, all  
the way down to trying to say the name of the harp with dignity. I  
would never consider putting a Koch in my mouth! Not even for a  
record deal....

  Brendan, you are dearly missed. I wish there were more techs out  
there who operate at your level. I promise I won't be picky, just let  
me know when you open shop. Please let me know where I can buy your  
new CD. When are you moving to California, dude?

  I have recently seriously considered working on my own harmonicas  
again, not because the guys who are out there at the moment aren't  
good. It's exactly like Winslow said earlier, only I know what I  
want, and what is missing, and I believe some years ago I reached the  
place where my laziness or procrastination in facing that reality has  
had deleterious effects in my dealings with different techs, not to  
mention my pocketbook. Live and learn.

  Questions:

   I play with a modified U Channel embouchure, which serves me very  
well. That said, I have a hard time playing stock harmonicas. Most of  
them are too "closed" for me. I have a hard time describing this to  
techs, but it is easily understood when playing two different  
instruments. Some harmonicas just blow easier, with a more open, free  
feeling. I have gapped, retuned, "broken in", etc... it's something  
else. Recently, I ordered 4 Super 64's from Hohner, and all 4 of them  
played differently. I just got off the phone with Sissy, she says the  
64's are "tighter" now, made more airtight and prone to choke up for  
players who blow harder. My issue is the following:

   How can I get more air through the instrument while maintaining  
maximum tone quality? Is it really just gapping? I need a very "open  
feel" that I haven't been able to get, and it's frustrating. I try  
gapping, but that doesn't get it, at least right away. It's almost  
like I'm looking for the feel of an incredibly broken-in instrument,  
but with new, in tune reeds.... any ideas? Sorry if I'm revealing my  
ignorance on something very basic, but it's becoming an issue for  
me... I can't perform on stock instruments.

   Other question: Has anybody successfully half valved a 64  
Chromonica where they could bend more than normally, without  
sacrificing tone? I've only heard (as Brendan said) it done well on  
CX-12's... And even then there was some substantial differences.

  I don't fantasize anymore about a chromatic that plays and bends  
like a blues harp, they really are two different instruments. I just  
wish I know how to adjust my instruments to play them with the most  
expressive freedom and flexibility - That didn't take 2 - 3 hours a  
day!!!!

   It's nice to see this type of dialogue on harp - l. Thank you all  
for your contribution!


   D


Damien Masterson http://www.damienmasterson.com
or enter my name in any search engine
http://www.myspace.com/damienmastersonmusic
http://cdbaby.com/all/damienzm
415 305 7138 dzm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Damien Endorses Hohner Harmonicas and Audix Microphones


On Jun 15, 2007, at 8:14 AM, harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx wrote:

> Today's Topics:
>
>
>   12. Searching for Half-Valved Players (Philharpn@xxxxxxx)