Seydel Session Steel PT-Gazell Half Valved 10301PT Includes Free USA Shipping
Blues Harmonica with corrosion-free stainless steel reeds, ergonomic covers and plastic comb.
This PT-Gazell variant (half-valved) of the SESSION STEEL allows you to play additional single reed bendings in 1-6 blow and 7-10 draw. This technique requires a special embouchure. It is possible to reach all chromatic scale notes without using Overblows.
- ergonomic coverplates made of stainless steel, completely rounded at the mouthpiece
- ABS comb with recessed German Silver reedplates
- rivets and screws made of stainless steel
- lips and beard-friendly design
- minimal air consumption achieved by fine-cut reedplates, optimized flatness and extremely
- small tolerances between reed and reedplate
- stainless steel reeds provide the best clear and full sound and response of the 1847 models
- an up to 5 times longer playing life compared to models with brass reeds
- with convenient genuine leather pouch
By placing a valve over the opposite reed slot we are trying to manipulate we can do additional blow and draw bends. For instance, by putting a valve over the 6th hole draw reed slot we can now blow bend hole 6 to get the major 7th. Likewise, if we place a valve over the 7th hole blow reed slot we can now draw bend hole 7.The end result is the same as learning over blows except that this is a technique that most diatonic harmonica players already possess. The term half valving refers to the fact that we put a valve over the first 6 draw reed slots and the last four blow reed slots. That totals 10 valves out of a possible 20, or half. While some of the valves produce a half step bend that is already on the harmonica, (i.e. 4th hole blow bend is the same as 3 draw) the ability to shade or round off every note on the diatonic gives the instrument increased emotional content.
The process of half valving will do several things. It will make the harmonica more responsive because it will be more airtight. It changes the sound slightly because you are restricting the flow of air to only either the blow or draw reeds depending on where the valve is. An unvalved harmonica will allow air to flow through both the blow and draw slot regardless of whether you blow or draw. Net result is where there is a valve, you can do a single reed bend. In a half valved setup on Richter tuning you can fill in the missing notes of the chromatic scale by doing some single reed valved bends. The other big advantage is being able to add emotional shading to all 20 reeds on a diatonic harmonica.
The SESSION STEEL - Sounds stronger - lives longer
Order replacement reed plates from here
Want a nice carrying bag for your harp? Check out the Seydel Beltbag here
