[Harp-L] Timbre question

[Larry Marks <larry.marks@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I am hearing impaired, so there are some things I can't hear even with 
my auditory prostheses on their most sensitive setting. One of those 
things is the difference in timbre that others hear when comparing 
overbends and valved bends.

I start with the following beliefs:

1.  That both reeds are involved and sounding during regular bends.
2.  For overbends, only one reed is involved and sounding. The other 
reed is killed.
3.  For valved bends only one reed is involved and sounding. The other 
is blocked by the valve.
4.  In the case of valved bends, the reed sounds in the slot.
5. In the case of overbends, the reed sounds away from the slot.

I invite your correction if these beliefs are incorrect.

What do people think is the reason for the difference in timbre between 
these two methods?

Since I can't hear this difference, I can't even hazard a guess as to 
its cause, and I do not have the means to measure sound accurately. or 
observe the reeds in action. But knowing what the reason is could help 
me in finding a technique for altering the tone and minimizing tonal 
differences between the two methods.

  -LM

BTW, I mostly teach overbends (because that's what most canny students 
want,) but I mostly play valved.