Re: [Harp-L] Re: breaking in new harps

[Rick Dempster <rickdempster33@xxxxxxxxx>]

Makes sense Steve; but what a bout the semitone difference between the
opening and closing functions?
RD

On 23 September 2014 17:32, Steve Baker <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> In the Harp Handbook (1990) I described the phenomenon of closing and
> opening reeds, complete with illustrations. Which end of the reed the
> airstream comes from is not important, rather which side of the reed plate.
> It's harder for a reed to open than to close and it's conceivable that the
> material takes time to become accustomed to this.
>
> On 23.09.2014, at 08:17, Rick Dempster wrote:
>
> I have yet to read why a reed plays a semitone higher when the air is
> travelling from the tip to the rivet end (ie a 'bend' either conventional
> or 'overbend' - same thing anyhow)
> rather than the 'natural' function (ie blow reed acting as a blow, draw as
> a draw) where the air travels from the rivet end to the free end. In my
> minds eye, I see the
> breath starting from the rivet end being a gentler process, involving the
> whole length of the reed from the start of the action, whereas
> the breath hitting the free end first might not be inclined to involve the
> whole reed down to the rivet, so the active portion of the reed is shorter.
> Probably nonsense, but I've ead nothing better.
> Dunno how, but I see this as connected to the 'breaking in' topic, of
> which, by the way, I am, after forty-odd years, completely undecided.
> RD
>
> On 23 September 2014 04:33, Steve Baker <steve@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> On 21.09.2014, at 22:32, Robert Hale wrote:
>>
>> > The reed is a metal spring. Takes x-number of flexes before it fails.
>> Degree and duration of bends are additional variables, too.
>> >
>> > ANALOGY
>> > I've never been asked to drive my new car "gently on the springs" for
>> the first few miles.
>>
>> Maybe not, but hopefully you've been advised not to push the engine too
>> hard for the 1st few miles. I stand by my experience as stated and have no
>> doubt that it takes a while for certain aspects to optimize. With new harps
>> I find OBs tend to be more prone to squeaking and generally more difficult
>> to hit and control. After playing for a while this improves. Most
>> guitarists ain't too keen on brand new strings either. In both cases this
>> may be due to the gradual build up of dried bodily secretions ;-)
>>
>> Steve Baker
>> www.stevebaker.de
>> www.european-music-workshops.com
>> www.harmonica-masters.de
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>
> Steve Baker
> www.stevebaker.de
> www.european-music-workshops.com
> www.harmonica-masters.de
>
>
>
>
>