Q: What is a valved diatonic?

A: Suzuki markets the Promaster diatonic harmonica with and without valves, also known as windsavers. By adding valves to certain holes it is possible to obtain notes though bending that are not usually available on a diatonic. Diatonic players interested in achieving chromatic tones usually focus on the valved or overblow technique (but not both) since the note placement for the accidentals ends up at different holes. Also, the choice is made between the techniques by timbre aesthetic preference -- some like the valve bent sound better than the overblow, others like the color or the overblow.

(FMI: "Suzuki harps, chromatics" 27 Apr 94 WY)
(FMI: "Re; Purpose of Windsavers" 21 Jan 95 MC, JE)
(FMI: "Re: Valves/Windsavers and serious music" 22-23 Mar 95 TM, HM, SJ, MC)
(FMI: "Re: valved diatonics" 10 Feb 95 MC)
(FMI: "Re: Suzuki Pro-master valved" 15-17 Feb 95 PH,MC)
(FMI: "Re: Valved harps 21 Mar 95 MC)
(FMI: "where do windsavers go" 22 Mar 95 PH)
(FMI: "Re: Valves/Windsavers from Hohner" 22 Mar 95 JE)

• Harp-L Mailing List.
• Instruments: Kinds Of Harps.
• What Is A Diatonic Harmonica?
• What Is A Chromatic Harmonica?
• What Is A Chord Harmonica?
• What Is A Bass Harmonica?
• What Should I Buy As A First Harmonica?
• What Keys To Buy?
• What Does Second Postion (Cross Harp) Mean?
  • Other Positions.
• Wood Combed Or Plastic Combed?
• Harmonica Sources and Brands.
• Custom Harmonicas?
• Instrument Care.
• Breaking In A Harmonica.
• Fixing Harmonicas
• Should I soak my Harmonica?
• Tuning Your Harmonica.
• How Do I Get Rid Of The Buzzing In My Chromatic?
• Tongue Blocking.
• Pucker Playing.
• U Blocking.
• Which Blocking Technique Do I use.
• How Do I Hold The Harmonica?
• How Do I Bend?
• How Do I Obtain Good Vibrato?
• How Do I Get A Fat Tone?
• How Do I Determine The Key Of A Song?
• Advanced DiatonicTechnique: Overblowing.
• What Is A Valved Diatonic?
• How Do You Transpose On Chromatic.
• Is It Possible To Do Full Bends On A Chromatic?
• What Chords Are Available On My Diatonic?
• Should I learn To Read Music?
• What type Of Harmonica Is Used In Different Styles?
• Who Are Some Important Artists?
• What Records Should I Buy To Learn About Harmonic?
• Instruction Material - Books And Tapes
• How Do I Communicate To Play Something On The List?
• Electronic Equipment - Mics.
• Electronic Equipment - Amps.