Re: [Harp-L] XB-40 recordings

["Rick Dempster" <rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

I think the failure of players to take up the chromatic potential of the XB must be a big disappointment for Hohner.
I have used the XB for it's richness, and applied it's bending potential mainly in conventional diatonic and pentatonic scales.
So I'm getting the same notes in all octaves.
The first step away from conventional single reed harp comes where you can get the major third of the V chord in the middle octave, ie the note sought by people who sharpen draw 5.
Then the Bb (talking C harp here) at the hole 7 blow bend, instead of overblowing 6.
Then probably the Eb notes in the first two octaves....etc. etc.
I really think the XB is a wonderful instrument,and that we, as players who depend on the manufacturers of this
post industrial age instrument, should make a little more effort with it.
We all seem keen enough to struggle on with overblowing, half-valving, re-tuning, custom harps etc. etc.
The XB deserves at least as much attention.

RD

>>> Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx> 03/07/11 7:57 AM >>>
No-one seems to have taken up the XB-40 for its chromatic potential. Perhaps 
it's because pitch control is difficult for reeds with a wide bending range. I 
know that David Fairweather (aka jazmaan) was experimenting with tunings that 
restricted all bends to a semitone in order to make pitch control easier, but I 
don't recall that he reported any positive results.

Winslow
 
Winslow Yerxa
Author, Harmonica For Dummies ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
Harmonica instructor, The Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance
Resident expert, bluesharmonica.com
Columnist, harmonicasessions.com




________________________________
From: Richard Hammersley <rhhammersley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Fri, July 1, 2011 9:26:15 AM
Subject: [Harp-L] XB-40 recordings

Can anyone recommend any recordings of anyone using the XB-40 to its full 
chromatic potential? Winslow Yerxa has done some good stuff, but otherwise I 
can't really find anything - or maybe I am not hearing and recognising the XB's 
use.

  Thanks
Richard
Richard Hammersley
Grantshouse
Scottish Borders