Brendan Power & Alternative Harmonicas Forum

Newbie here.

I've been playing harp on and off for 45 years but have never dabbled in different tunings. I'm strictly a blues player but have recently been expanding my horizons into a bit of jazz and country with my acoustic duo The Diving Ducks.

Like most blues players I rarely venture above hole 6 other than in 1st and 3rd positions, and it is the prospect of opening up the top end of the harmonica in 2nd position that has brought me to Brendan's website. Overblowing is a complete mystery to me and I'm happy to keep it that way!

So what should I go with, the Powerdraw or the Powerbender? I've got three Powerdraws in my basket but before I pull the trigger I thought I'd ask for some advice.

Rgds
Duncan

Considering your background and primary playing of the harp for Blues, PowerDraw is your best option I think. It's identical to the standard Richter harp you're familiar with in holes 1-6, and aft that you can continue draw bending all the way to hole 10.

PowerBender is better for easy chromaticism, but requires more relearning - as the tuning changes in hole 5.

I was speaking with Ed Coogan recently, and he uses a hybrid of Powerdraw and Powerblow (and Powerbender) in holes 7-10:
|AB | CD | GE | CA |

The | AB | CD | in holes 7 and 8 make a whole lot sense, with chromaticism and an easy 2nd position blues scale.
I see that both the Powerdraw and Powerbender layouts offer those notes.

But then he switches, in holes 9 and 10 to |GE |CA | as its done on Powerblow.
This makes for some good melodic patterns, e.g., in G Pentatonic.

I can't ascertain the advantages of switching from the draw bends (holes 78) to the blow bends (holes 9, 10) as opposed to staying with draw bends in the last two holes, however. Perhaps it just comes down to personal preference, stylistic choices, similarity to traditional tunings, and perhaps chording.

To the group and to Brendan, any perspective on choosing to stay with draw bends through hole 10 vs. the blow bends would be welcome.

Thanks!
--Jason