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From: Mike Curtis
Date: Sat, 13 Jul 1996 17:22:20 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: How to valve a diatonic

I've received a LOT of requests for this information - so here it is.

Using valves (or windsavers - little plastic flaps over the reed slots
opposite the reeds) allows us to bend the normally unbendable notes. I feel
that it is also a great way to develop your tone (resonance). If you can't
bend the valved notes, your tone will be weak and can be vastly improved.
When your resonance is "right", you will be able to bend valved reeds.


To valve a diatonic for bending unbendable notes:

1. Disassemble the harp, and lay out the reed plates reedside down.

2. If you have precut windsavers, lay them out over the reed holes, so they
slightly overlap the reed holes, but not by much. If they overlap TOO much,
they may interfere with the comb, especially on Oskars. Place them over draw
1-6 (lower reed plate) and blow 7-10 (upper reed plate).

If yours are not precut, or the wrong size, cut them so they overlap the reed
slot by about 1/16th inch, or about a millimeter if you use that "other" ruler
:-)

3. Place a drop of Superglue on a piece of cellophane, aluminum foil, or other
nonporous surface.

4. SLIGHTLY dip the dimpled end (if it has a dimple), convex side up, in the
superglue. A little is all you need. I like to use tweezers, but they're not
required.

5. Place the windsaver over the rivet. Press into place with firm finger
pressure, for a second. Remove tweezers, press on the free end with your
other finger, then remove your finger from the glued end. If you take too
long doing this, you will become attached to your harp - literally.

If it's not on straight, it can be easily repositioned, so don't worry too
much about it. If the glue sets first, simply pull the windsaver off, chip
the old glue off the reed plate, and reapply.

6. Reassemble the harp and let it set an hour or so. Overnight is even
better.


-- IronMan Mike Curtis