Re: [Harp-L] Valve Value

[philharpn@xxxxxxx]

The value of complete half-valving (1-6 draw reeds; 7-4 blow reeds) extends beyond simply adding blow bends to the 1-6 holes and draw bends to the 7-10 holes.  Each blow bend is lower by a half-step. Some get more. Same with the draw 


The additional valves allow the slight bends that are used in creating vibrato and adding inflection to notes that would not otherwise allow this. 


Standard chromatics with full windsavers (all blow & draw) are capable of single reed blow and draws on every windsaver hole. Professional chromatic players have been doing this for centuries. Others not so much; they bought a chromatic so they didn't have to bend.



The reason all the holes are half-valved is to provide a uniform tone (timbre) that would otherwise vary if some reeds were valved and other not. 


Half-valving does not alter standard bends: draw 1-4,6 and blow 8-10.


Half-valving prevents overblows or overbends and overdraws.


Hope this helps,
Phil





-----Original Message-----
From: Jim, "Turbodog" Antaki, (PhD), (PhD) <turbodog@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sun, Mar 18, 2012 1:52 pm
Subject: [Harp-L] Valve Value


Friends,

I've been pondering the merits of wind saver valves on the diatonic harp,
and need to ask what must be a stuipid question. 

Although valves on some reeds may affect bend-ability or over-bend-ability,
it seems that valves on 2D & 3D reeds 
do not suffer these disadvantage. Yet they provide effective reduction of
leakage, hence increase in loudness. So I'm wondering why *everyone* doesnt
use them?  I.e., what is the downside? I'm stumped.

Thanks in advance for solving this imponderable puzzle.

Turbodog.