How to get Extra, Deeper Bends on Harmonica

[IaNerd]

Brendan, you recently posted a YouTube video in which you explain and demonstrate various alternate positions for the Hohner PentaHarp. Here again we can see even more possibilities if we were to play those positions with HFS technology. Pretty cool!

[Brendan]

Ah, thanks for the reminder

[Brendan]

UPDATE, for those interested in this topic:

Whilst the two methods described in this thread (TurboSlide or Half-Flat Slide) give you extra deeper draw bends (or standard draw bends plus blow bends in the variation), I still want more!

Specifically, to get standard draw bends, deeper draw bends, and blow bends - all with interactive-reed bending. The only way to do it is by adding extra reeds. A harmonica like this would be a new category, a hybrid of standard and x-reed types in one instrument, which could be switched between at will.

Although it probably wouldn't appeal to most, it's pretty much my personal dream harmonica! So over the past few weeks I've been obsessively trying a bunch of different designs to achieve it. You'd be surprised at how many ways there are to do it - but none is simple...

With the TurboSlide you need 30 reeds, without it you need 40 reeds. So far I've made nine widely differing working prototypes of this prospective new harmonica type, all with some outlandish combination of custom parts: combs, baseplates, sliders, valves, over-valves, modular reeds, magnet holders - you name it! I'm having fun, and still have some more ideas to try. When I arrive at the best version I'll let you know.

Now, back to the workshop...

[EdvinW]

Thanks for the update! I'm much looking forward to see what you come up with

[Brendan]

This is one version: a 40 reed double-diatonic, with slider. It's working well in lower keys but not in the top couple of holes in higher keys, because of Helmholtz Resonance Coupling issues due to the long chambers. I'm working on a way to shorten them, but there's a limit with this design that may make it unsuitable for keys above C.

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