[Harp-L] Re Ode to Joy revisited

[Harping On]

@ Richard Hunter. I don't disagree with you as I took the same outlook in my posts in relation to the 'odd' sound. Like many others we want to be able to make it work as that is part of the fascination with an instrument that is capable of playing stuff it wasn't designed for. (Although someone once said just because you can do it doesn't mean you should do it.)

 

 My purpose of bringing up this subject again was to hear if anyone had been able to mask the 'odd' sound on the bends particularly the 3 draw bends. I am unable to access these old sound files but from what you say I gather it was not possible.

 

I would not attempt to play 'Ode to Joy' live or indeed other similar songs that leave the 3 draw double bend exposed.

 

That 'look' certainly puts things into perspective!

 

However some melodies do work with the 'bend' and you can hide it to an extent if you don't land heavy on it or work in a phrase incorporating it.

 

I would like to think I don't do it just to be different but to serve the song and benefit from the soulful bending capabilities of the harp especially when you can 'scoop' into and out of the bends. 'Amazing Grace' for instance works quite well.

 

However I concede that as harmonica players our ears perhaps become more tolerant to the occasional odd sounding notes and we might not be so forgiving hearing similar irregularities on another instrument.


---
This email has been checked for viruses by Avast antivirus software.
https://www.avast.com/antivirus