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Date: Sat, 8 Apr 1995 14:22:56 -0700 (PDT)
From: Mike Curtis
Subject: Re: Valved C's

>
> While I can certainly accept the arguement that I like them that's why I play them I have a hard time following the arguement where a C harmonica has the same range as a G harmonica. I'd buy the C starts at almost the same note valved as the G does unvalved but who'd think a comparison like that was valid?

Anyone who plays unvalved harps who is curious as to why a valved harp player is not tempted by the range of an unvalved lower harp. Remember the original question?

> The obvious thing to do is compare the valved C with the valved G and then the differential remains the same.

I disagree.

That's not the answer to the question raised. This is a totally different issue to that raised. A valid issue in its own right, but not one belonging in my response to a specific question. Paraphrasing the responses on soaking, we must be careful when answering questions,
otherwise we might confuse new ones.

> Two and a half steps lower the G 's range will be different than that of the C. Even if
someone could play with perfect legato they'd be missing the point of diatonic harmonica. A G blow sounds different than a G draw. Maybe they sound the same bent on valved harmonicas I have no idea but if they do you've just changed your palette not enlarged it. Major amounts of the tonal characteristics and timbre of diatonics come from these
differences.

The question didn't involve subtleties - just notes.

> Maybe Mike meant to say that he prefers the C valved diatonic as his primary instrument because the 3 octave range he attains is more than satisfactory for his needs,

Usually, 3 octaves is sufficient. But three octaves is far more than the traditional 1.5 octaves most cross harpers use - greats like both Walters, both SBWs, etc. For these incredible players, the range of their instrument was not a problem. Likewise, three octaves is usually sufficient for my purposes. If I wanted more, I'd buy a set of SBS's, or
maybe one of those "foot long" Marine Band harps :-) Or I'd switch harps for that song.

> but to claim that the range of the C is virtually identical to a G is a falsehood because knowing Mike he'd valve that G in a heartbeat and get the same 3 octave range starting
two and a half steps lower.

I'm WAY ahead of you - I have a low G (and all other keys, too :-) and yes they're all valved. My point was, playing a valved C gives me nearly the same pitch range as the UNVALVED "G" of the gentleman asking the question.

> I seem to recall Mike saying that the reason he so vehemently defends and promotes the use of valved diatonics is that no one takes him seriously and it's a form of compensation.

Anyone who takes the time to properly learn valved harps will be as enthusiastic as I, so yes I "promote" (I prefer the word "recommend") the use of valves - just as you'd recommend a good restaurant to a friend, or would recommend a good harmonica recording to other harmonicists. But it wouldn't be accurate to say that you "defend" these.

> While I can certainly understand this point of view I have yet to see an attack on the use of valved diatonics that wasn't provoked by the constant harping on the merits of valves.

I like your pun (harping on ... valves :-)

I have yet to see an attack on valved harps.

I've seen statements to the effect of "when I tried 'em, I didn't like them because ", but it doesn't require Sherlock Holmes to deduce this as strictly opinion, not "attack". And I agree - the first time you try them, you won't like them. I sure didn't. Just like the first time
you played harp - it sounded like the first time :-Q

> Valve 'em or not, chromatic or diatonic, overblow or not they're all free reed instruments there's more in common than not and I worry that the list is going to end up inhabited by progeny of a certain French general that spawned the use of his name in a word that describes fierce patriotism to the exclusion of all else. fjm

I've seen excellent dialog from many on various techniques, positions, harmonica versions (valved, diatonic, chromatic, etc.) Only rarely have I seen anything to suggest the group is in any danger of coming under the control of those who would like to dictate what cannot be discussed.

-- mike