[Harp-L] Re: Harp-L Digest, Vol 126, Issue 13

[patpowers <patpowers@xxxxxxx>]

Michael, 

You are correct, there would be a few notes missing from a full chromatic scale.  My point was that I have no trouble "bending" notes accurately, and can bend the living shi-ite out of some of them, but I have never even heard of bending "up" (sic) until I joined this list, which is why I joined of course - to learn some new stuff.  ;)

So, now that the terminology has clarified, I've been trying to "overblow" and "overdraw" for a couple of days now with absolutely no luck, unless you count a gut-wrenching screech that scared the neighbor's cat up a tree as one!  I guess I need some lessons.  ..and somebody needs to call the fire department to come get the poor cat out of the tree before he freezes to death!

Just kiddin-n-n-ng!!!  ..I knocked him out of the tree with a rock.


Thanks and best Regards,
Pat Powers

------ original message ---------

Mike Best,
Although I agree with you that your concept should be the correct concept,
I have heard so many people refer to overdraws as overblows that I have
just accepted it as slang.

Patrick,
Bending makes a note go lower in pitch.  Overblows and overdraws make a
note go higher in pitch.  Unless you are overblowing or own a half valved
harp, XB-40, sub 30 or X reed harp, you cannot create a fully chromatic
scale on a standard harmonica by bending only.  It is true that  some harps
inexplicably do small bends where they are not supposed to be able to do
it, perhaps you have lucked into a harp like that.  Please send an MP3 or
video of you playing a fully chromatic scale without overblows.

Michael Rubin
Michaelrubinharmonica.com