pucker/tb

["Vern Smith" <jevern@xxxxxxx>]

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> > > if anybody says they can tell a purse tone from a tb tone i say =
they
are
> > > talking bs
> >
> > there is a difference - the tb is a bit fuller/darker/richer. At
Augusta,
> > Carlos Del Junco dealt with the differences in one of his classes. =
It
was
> > apparent to all that there was a difference.
>
> I wouldn't want to get in the way of a good harp-l friendly flame war, =
but
> I've always felt that this particular myth was due to a misuse of the
pucker
> technique rather than an actual pro of tb-ing.

I believe that an individual might learn to produce exactly the same =
tone
with pucker or tb. Harp players do have a tendency to subjectively hear
differences when they know the underlying conditions (pucker/tb, =
materials,
etc.) that they cannot objectively hear blind.

However, it is easier for me to play those difficult-to-start notes at =
the
ends of the harp with tb.  It seems to me that pucker requires some =
muscle
tension in the cheeks and tb allows more relaxed cheeks.  With relaxed
cheeks, there is a flexible air buffer that smoothes out any sudden
increases of pressure that can choke a reluctant reed and may affect the
tone in other ways.

For this reason, it seems to me that tb is better for legato and letting =
the
instrument "speak for itself" (think Eddie Manson) and pucker is better =
for
tightly controlled scooping/bending effects (think Toots).  This is my
subjective perception that I cannot support with any objective tests or
authoritative sources.

Vern