Re: [Harp-L] Valved players unite!






S.Doyle Yoder Sr writes:
Paul, I had asked this same question several years ago, when I first
started
using valved harps. The response was almost nil, causing me to believe
that
the "Big Boys" thought them problematic, or maybe unnecessary.
Michelle, replied
Doyle, first off I'm a bit unclear about what you are calling "valved"
harps.  Chromatic harmonicas are valved on both the blow and draw reeds,
though many models don't include valves on the highest reeds as they are
small enough to not cause a lot of leakiness.  The valves on a chromatic
serve a different purpose than those on a half-valved diatonic.
Doyle Re-Replied: Thank you so much, (and I do mean it) for clearifying the difference between valved and half valved harps. You are correct, when you took it, that I play half valved harps. ( If that is what the correct name for the "Pro-Valved harps" is.) Although I've not heard them called half valved
Michelle: There is lots of fertile territory that is opened up for a harper by learning to play a
half-valved diatonic.  They make you become a better player and they are a
gas to play.
Doyle: I agree that they did help me a lot in learning how to bend and control bends. And yes they are a lot of fun to play.
http://www.ironmancurtis.com/index.shtml

Of particular note:

http://www.ironmancurtis.com/valvharp.shtml

Doyle had said: I do know that they tend to stick and delay response a while, and as of yet I have
not found a sure way to correct that problem.

Michelle: Huh? If you are talking about half-valved diatonics, I have to disagree.
All the valves on a half-valved harp are on the bendable reeds, meaning that
the most problematic lower reeds (1-6; in tems of condensation) are valved
only on the draw reeds. Valves on draw reeds don't collect the condensation
that is carried by your exhaled breath so they usually are not the offending
ones when it comes to sticking unless they'e dirty or are hampered for some
mechanical reason. The higher reeds (7-10) do get valves on the blow reeds,
but far less exhaled breath is required to make them sound so condensation
isn't usually a problem there, either. I can't even tell that my valved
ProMaster has valves at all, except for the the added ability to bend those
reed that normally can't be bent on an unvalved harp.
Doyle: The sticking problem has been mostly intermitent and yes it is do to condensation. I do notice that as I became a little more experienced that this situation has deminished.


Doyle had said: There are several songs that I keep my Pro-Valved harps for. "Twilight Time", "Down Yonder", "Whispering Hope", and one of my favorites" Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" are the ones that I can think of. In all of these songs I use the valve on
the 6 blow. On" Rose of Sharon Waltz" I find the 7 draw valve necessary.

Michelle: This is the statement that confuses me. How do you use only one valve on
even a half-valved diatonic? Do you mean that you only take advantage of
the valves on those specific holes by applying the otherwise unavailable
bends only on those holes?
Doyle: If I were able to control a good over blow on the six hole, I would suppose that I would not need the assistance of the valve. I am not sure if I have explained my self very well. Probably due to my lack of any actual personal instruction in this area.
Michelle: Or do you actually install valves only on those reeds you mention?
Doyle: I understand that there are valves on reeds 1 through 6 of the lower reed plate, and 7 through 10 of the upper reed plate. And since I learned to play most of the songs, that I mentioned, in first position, I used the assistance of the valve to allow for a blow bend in the six blow.
Thank you for your reply that helped me to also understand better whwt som of you all have been talking about. And believe me I can use all the help I can get to improve my playing.
Harmonica playing has helped change my out look on a lot of ideas, about music that is.


Doyle
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