Brendan Power & Alternative Harmonicas Forum

I show it there, except the Bb is called an A#.

Richard: nice to see you here. You make a great point: harmonica reeds were never designed for overbending, just good normal playing. Maybe dedicated research might discover some optimal alternative reed shape (forked end, rounded end, taper out or in etc) or width-to-length ratio that makes reeds o...

You can of course play in every key in half-valved PowerChromatic. It's actually easier than on fully valved Solo, as there are so many bend-enharmonics: bent notes that are the same as the slide notes. This gives lots of extra options for playing tricky phrases, and a more legato feel than you get ...

Thanks for the info Patrice. You do so many good things for the French harmonica scene

I'm glad people are thinking of alt tunings for the AsiaBend. I already have a few myself, including Pentatonic and Arabic. It's not hard to retune, and Bebop would be easy. When retuning the X-Reeds (blow reeds set with no gap), you need to open the gap (raise the tip of the reed) so they sound, an...

I ddn't quite understand what you mean - can you describe in more detail what you'd like to see?

Don't worry Tony, there is life outside and beyond overblows! This thread is simply trying to imagine a new kind of harp which would allow serious overblowers to take their existing skills to a new level, by giving them what they have already - plus extra functionality. Like you, I don't use overblo...

Looks nice, though I'm never keen on semitone intervals between blow and draw notes in tunings. Have you recorded anything with it Gary?

THE NEW HARP: THINGS TO RETAIN Many overblow players might profess to be perfectly happy with customised versions of a 19th century harmonica design, but if a 21st century model became available that could do all of what a custom Marine Band can and much more, then I'm sure serious players would be ...

You're right Gary! And the big tremolo chromatic. Suzuki deserve credit for going out on a limb with such adventurous models.

Tony: check the Turboslide thread for a suggestion re. Major Cross.