Re: [Harp-L] Overbends on tremolo harps and the Discrete Comb

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Knittlinger harps are not fully discrete (Seydel Concerto, Hohner Auto Valve). To be discrete, each individual reed must be in its own chamber. Knittlinger harps have two reeds per chamber - blow and draw side by side, which defeats the possibilities offered by a truly discrete comb.

Winslow

Winslow Yerxa

Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5

--- On Mon, 7/20/09, David Payne <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

From: David Payne <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Overbends on tremolo harps and the Discrete Comb
To: "Harp L Harp L" <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Monday, July 20, 2009, 5:15 PM


Octave harps are one discrete that is on the market, I'm talking about the Seydel Concerto and ones like it if there are, the Auto Valve has a Knittlinger comb. You can lip block one row and it's like a regular Richter harp. The Concerto is also fully valved. The reason you don't see more of them is because there are many, many, many things one can do with a harmonica that's different, and many, many things have been done, there is always a market of people who will buy something different. Then, there's the other 90 percent who won't. 

As for video, I made one earlier for a Paddy Richter Seydel Shanty tremolo I'm shamelessly plugging. Later on in the video, I am playing around on it and overblow here and there. This was maybe 20 minutes into my tremolo overblow career, so it ain't perfect, but it happens. 

When that video gets uploaded later tonight, I'll post a link to it.

Dave
___________________________
www.elkriverharmonicas.com





----- Original Message ----
From: John Kerkhoven <solo_danswer@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>; Harp L Harp L <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, July 20, 2009 4:34:29 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Overbends on tremolo harps and the Discrete Comb

Winslow,

What you say makes a discrete-combed harp sound extremely cool.... To the
point that I'm left asking how come we haven't seen these -- at least as
diatonics? Or are there discrete harps on the market (other than tremolos)?
And if not, is there any likelihood that there might be?

Did you make your own? How?

What would you list as the advantages and disadvantages compared with a
standard diatonic harp of similar quality?

I'll stop there. I'm just plain intrigued. Any additional info you have
would be appreciated, plus links to pictures if there are any. Sound files?

Thanks,

John



> Actually, discrete chambers make overbends EASIER - no pesky opposing reed
to interfere. That's the whole principle behind the Discrete Comb, my
invention (I also was the first person to apply the term "discrete comb" to
harmonicas). The Discrete Comb puts this capability in the format of a
standard 10-hole diatonic.
>
> Tremolo harmonicas and the Discrete Comb allow you to isolate ANY reed on
the harp (except ones where a hole is punched between the top and bottom
chamber, as on some Hohner tremolos).
>
> When isolated, a reed will:
>
> -- bend down like a "valved bend", with no specific limit to how far the
note will bend; that's a matter of reed adjustment and player skill
>
> -- bend UP on the opposite breath (draw bend on a blow reed, blow bend on
a draw reed) and produce a stronger, more stable overblow or overdraw than
you would get in a dual-reed system.
>
> At Jason Ricci's Harmonica Blow OFF on August 11, I will be playing an
A-harp with a Discrete Comb on a tune called "The Tinge." "The Tinge" is
also in A, so I'll be in first position. But half of the tune is in A minor,
so I have to play overblows to get some of the minor notes, including Hole 1
overblow. Not only will I play that overblow, I will bend it UP two
semitones, because the stability of the Discrete Comb allows for this. I'll
also do some "valved" bending of notes that don't usually bend down, like
Blow 6.
>
> WInslow
>

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