Re: [Harp-L] Vive La Difference -- But What Is It?

[Arthur Jennings <timeistight@xxxxxxxxx>]

Valved bends, which are the bends you get on most chromatic harmonicas, are
a product of the interaction between the resonance of a single reed and
mouth resonance. Unvalved bends -- like on a marine band -- are the
interaction of the resonances of two reeds and your mouth.

Valved bends tend to sound weaker the lower they go until the eventual
choke out. Unvalved bends sound stronger as both reeds come in to play.
Unvalved bends also have a definate floor below which you can't go,
regardless of technique. Valved bends don't.

Half-valved harmonicas give you single reed, valved bends on the "extra"
bends. The new Suzuki features double reed bends for all the "extra" bends.
As I understand it, the valves are just there to prevent the extra reeds
from interfering in the regular bends (draw on the bottom and blow on the
top).

On Mon, Aug 6, 2012 at 11:06 AM, Elizabeth Hess <TrackHarpL@xxxxxxxxxxxx>wrote:

> So, I'm trying to get my mind around what the difference is between a PT
> Gazelle harp with valves and a SUB30 harp with valves and additional reeds
>  *in terms of how one would play them and/or what they are like to play*.
>  As I understand it, note layout is the same on each as a Richter-tuned
> harp, and each lets you blow-bend the lower six notes and draw-bend the
> upper four in addition to all the regular draw- and blow-bends that we're
> used to.
>
> So... do they feel different from each other (and from a "stock"
> Richter-tuned harp) to play?  Is the timbre of the natural (unbent) notes
> different?  Have I overlooked something in the note layout or "additional"
> notes available?
>
> I'm intrigued by the SUB30, but I feel like I'm missing something in my
> comprehension.  Thanks.
>
> Elizabeth (one of several)
>
>
>


-- 
Arthur Jennings
http://www.timeistight.com