[Harp-L] Re: The Ashby Method for Overbending

[BluzeHarp@xxxxxxx]

As usual Michelle makes some good points, I agree with her.  I do  however 
think the science of 'Neil's' method has yet to be explored, and  that this 
approach shouldn't be dismissed just because a  person may be turned off by 
the Neil Ashby Method For Posting On  Harp-l.  
 
To be clear, Michelle didn't suggest we dismiss Neil's claims, she only  
called for some supporting evidence.  I think that's fair and  appropriate.
 
One possibility is that the airflow direction by itself has no  effect, but 
the positioning of the lips, mouth, tongue and/or throat  when SOME people 
use this technique can create an  upbend.  If this holds true, maybe I 
should copyright the explanation  and demand a percentage of Neil's patent 
revenue.  
 
Regardless of the science, and my facetiousness aside, if this  technique 
helps some players learn how to bend a note upward in  pitch then it would 
seem to have merit.
 
Seems a stretch to claim anyone can learn to bend notes upward in 5  
minutes, especially so as some skilled players have already weighed in saying it  
didn't work for them... and, well, we're still waiting to hear who  those 
prominent instructors are who have endorsed this 'method'.
 
Christopher Richards
Harmonica Planet
_www.harmonicaplanet.com_ (http://www.harmonicaplanet.com)  
 
 
 
In a message dated 11/3/2014 5:13:53 A.M. Mountain Standard Time,  
harp-l-request@xxxxxxxxxx writes:

The  problem I have with this and most of the other assertions Neil Ashby 
has  made on Harp-L is that they stand in resolute defiance against the  
well-published knowledge and experience of far more well-known and  
respected experts. For me a key element of the credibility of any claim  
is the degree to which it is or can be substantiated.

I'm surprised  that Vern Smith or Steve Baker haven't said something. In 
their absence I  feel someone should point out that the idea of the 
direction of airflow  inside the reed chamber, supposing one can control 
it, having a  first-order effect on the pitch of a bend is inconsistent 
with the physics  of two-reed bending at least as far as I am aware of 
it. An explanation of  bending (or Overbending) that I for one would find 
more plausible would  involve at least some mention of the resonant or 
eigen frequency resulting  from changing volumes of the player's airways.

I'd like Neil, in the  absence of a list of the experts who subscribe to 
his theory or a video  substantiating his own ability to apply it, to 
offer a scientific  explanation for the basis of his Overbending method.

Of course, that's  what they probably asked of  Galileo.