Re: [Harp-L] Valving vs. Overblowing/Overdrawing

[michael rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>]

By the way, I want to note how much I appreciate and enjoy the work of
PT Gazell, Brendan Power and Alex Paclin, to name some valve players.
I just do not like the sound of valves.  There is plenty about my
playing that I do not like, to be fair.
Michael Rubin

On Mon, Apr 18, 2011 at 11:55 AM, michael rubin
<michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> I think anyone can, with hard work, control either technique.  It's
> about the sound.  Which do you like, or more importantly which do you
> NOT like.  Personally I would prefer a third option where the sound
> would be more like blow draw and bent notes.  I think both overblows
> and valves sound a little off.  However, I, humbly and in my own
> opinion,personally, not sweeping generalizingly,  think valves sound
> WAY off, as in nails on a chalkboard off, whereas a good overblow is
> passable.  The older I get the more I am into avoiding both of them
> altogether.  But if I need that note, I overblow.
>
> On the other hand, I fully support Elizabeth's explorations and I am
> very excited about what she will come up with.  I am a big Hesshead!
> Michael Rubin
> Michaelrubinharmonica.com
>
> On Mon, Apr 18, 2011 at 11:36 AM,  <philharpn@xxxxxxx> wrote:
>> This topic is getting rather long.
>>
>> Here's the short answer.
>>
>> Anybody who can blow bend (a la Jimmy Reed) the top notes on a standard
>> richter diatonic 8 9 and 10 can get blow bends on a half-valved Suzuki or
>> Seydel with the same amount of effort. In addition, you don't need to use a
>> low pitched harp -- A or G -- to manage these 1-6 blow bends. Sure they take
>> a little finesse, but then so does all bending if you hit them on pitch.
>>
>> Granted, bending has always been a trombone technique -- between the notes
>> on pitch is a minefield of noise.
>>
>> The other thing is that valved bends occur where richter players expect
>> them: Want Eb, blow bend the E (hole 2 on C harp).
>>
>> Overblow for Eb is blow 1 (overblow the C to Eb -- now there's logic for
>> you).
>>
>> If you doubt how easy IT is to blow bend on a half-valved harp, try some
>> blow bends on a chromatic-- it's the same technique.
>>
>> My theory is that if you get two people who don't overblow and don't valve
>> bend, the valve bender will  be learning tunes while the overblower is
>> trying to learn his/her first overblow.
>>
>> hope this helps clear up matters.
>>
>> Phil
>>
>>
>>
>