Re: [Harp-L] Overblowing

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Larry marks wrote:
<In 2nd position, it is not possible to play the minor 3rd of the I chord 
<(note between 6D and 7D) or the major 3rd of the V chord (note between 
<5D and 6B) without OBs or a valved harp. 

On a standard-tuned harp, you mean.  On a Natural Minor, it's as easy as pie--the note is built into the instrument.  Not to mention that it's easier in general to play a NM chromatically than a standard-tuned instrument--the necessary overblows are fewer in number and clustered in the midrange, where they're easier to play.

The major 3rd of the V chord is also available without overblowing on a Country-tuned harp, which Steve baker has said he uses on about 1/3 of his repertoire.  

You didn't mention how tough it is to get the minor 3rd of the I chord with an overblow on the first hole of the harmonica; Howard Levy told me that even he has trouble with it sometimes.

There are lots of ways to get the desired notes, and overblowing isn't the easiest.  Retuning the harp is the easiest way to get the missing notes.  (And we haven't even discussed Powerbender tuning yet.)

Regards, Richard Hunter

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