Re: [Harp-L] Bending 7 D and 8 D on an unvalved diatonic

["Rick Dempster" <rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

No, not much. Check out Chris Michalek's vibrato on 1-6 blows & 7-10
draws. I suspect there might be a similarity in the techniques used. I
always end up popping to the OB/D, and the mouth position I have to hold
to get that single reed 'natural' bend I find most uncomfortable.
RD

>>> martin oldsberg <martinoldsberg@xxxxxxxxx> 13/03/2009 4:32 >>>
Just now I was fooling around on an Ab Lee Oskar harp. This is the
second one in a row that irrevocably quit on 4 B after not many minutes
of playing, so I kind of deliberately mistreated what was left of it,
mercilessy playing in 5 pos.
  Interestingly, as I was trying to get it to yield an OD on 7 D, and
really leaning in on it, I found instead that w/ decreased pressure I
can get what sounds like quite an acceptable F# through bending 7 D
down: when the OD didnÌt come out I heard there was a lower note there
and pursued this and after a while I even got that ringing noise to go
away.
  Moved then up to 8 D: same thing, yes there is an A. 
  
  This is done w/ bending embouchure and LIGHT pressure on the intake,
tongue pressed firmly up to the front of the roof (think "Bob Dylan
tone").
 
  They are not great sounding notes, you cannot lean on them, theyÌre
not very stable and relatively weak in volume -- but they are definitely
a match for the trad OB and OD respectively (as done on my,
non-customized harps) as passing notes. (IÌm just now playing the
"Habanera" from Carmen.) Of course IÌve tried bending the higher draw
notes before, but have never achieved anything like this ... 
  Sorry I canÌt provide sound samples.
  
  Anyone else tried this w/ some success?
 
  Cheers,
  Martin



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