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)
