Re: [Harp-L] Bending Stress in reeds (was Manji Reed Quality)

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

Yeah. Well, there's plenty of things I can't do either Vern. Good on you for having a go, anyhow.
RD

>>> Vern <jevern@xxxxxxx> 25/11/2011 3:31 >>>
I tried what you recommended.  During a half hour of earnest effort, I was unable to get a peep from an opening reed.  All that this proves is that I haven't paid the price in practice to be able to bend and overblow on the diatonic.  As a consequence, I don't have anything to contribute to this thread.  

Vern

On Nov 23, 2011, at 8:50 PM, Rick Dempster wrote:



Vern;
         I suggest you take the covers off a harp, put your finger over, say, draw 1, and now try to draw bend, just as usual. It will be harder, but it will work.
If it's too hard, start with finger off, get the full bend happening, and then whack your finger over the draw reed while still breathing in. The note should continue, one semitone higher than the blown pitch of hole 1.
         Now that is a 'conventional' bend, except that it is unassisted by the higher pitched paired reed.
         Now put your finger on the blow reed, and try blow bending; same result.
         Maybe I should suggest hole 6, instead of 1, which is notably the easiest to 'overblow'.
         These techniques are just standard bends, really; but they are single reed bends.
Cheers,
RD