Re: [Harp-L] Correctly Naming a More Ordinary Blowing Technique

["Fernando Bresslau" <fernando@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi Brad,

well, the technique that bends notes down, either by blowing, or by drawing,
is simply called bending. But I guess you know that.

The problem with your question is that, on an usual harmonica, the only
change in pitch in the down direction is the draw bending. But this bending
is limited to a pitch a little bit above a half tone below the draw note. I
hope that makes sense. IOW, if we take the standard C harmonica, we have, on
hole 5, blow E and draw F. Due to the physics involved, it is only possible
to bend the draw F note to a pitch a little bit above E. You never reach E
itself, and you wouldn't reach a whole step down, to Eb.

Jimmy Reed is famous also due to his blow bending of the highest notes on
the harmonica, from holes 7 to 10. He is the first example to be mentioned
when one talks about first position blues harp.

I hope this info helps.
Cheers,
Fernando

On 5/15/07, Bradford Trainham <btrainham@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> So...  If over-blowing raises the pitch... what is the name of the
> ordinary technique, available to us on even the most tetanus-infested
> shoddily-produced diatonic that will lower say the 5 hole anywhere
> from a half to a whole step downward.
> I discovered that one a long time ago by accident, got better at it
> once I realized Jimmy Reed was using it... not by accident, but I've
> never known what that occultism-of-harp is called.
> Brad Trainham