Suzuki Special

The Astonishing Overdrive

Suzuki MR-300

In every publication, this instrument is celebrated as the harp with which
one can more easily play Overblows..

And at first one feels one can do unbelievable things with the Overdrive,
even play Overblows, but I must confess it's a bit like giving birth while
doing a headstand.

To understand the complexities of this harmonica, one must first
inspect its construction.

• The body, a customary designed comb.
• The reedplates, no reedplate screws.
• Covers that have a separate air-flow guide for every single note.

The essential differences from customary Diatonic harmonicas is as follows:

For every note (or reed), a separate air-stream is led directly from the
mouthpiece to escape at the top of the lid.

The sound escape openings are on the covers and can be covered with the
fingers.

Therefore, one assumes the application of the fingers can be used to achieve
effects. However, one must not use the fingers at all.

At first, the thing plays like any other Bluesharp, with one small
restriction:

It does not permit free Overblows

Overblows without blocking the reeds with the fingers - or by using
mechanical stoppers such as with the »Bahnson-Harp, is basically only
possible on a harmonica with the slots positioned behind the reeds and the
air guided into an open space.

Or otherwise expressed:

A single 'sound guidance system' positioned AFTER, or behind the reed (as
shown here with the Overdrive), prevents a freely played Overblow

So, is the Overdrive a false construction?

No Sir! Not in this case!

The instrument combines brilliant construction with the following items

1. With the use of its special aerial guidance, each note becomes much
louder and more aggressive.

Soundsample »here:

2. Learning Overblows made easier...
By covering the holes 1 to 6 on the top, and 7 to 10 below, one can play Overblows and it's safe, because the reeds that are not part of the Overblowing process are safely blocked by the closed airflow.
If you'll note the exact positions of the openings in the upper cover, you'll recognize that holes 1 to 6 can be covered with one finger, placing it straight across the hole line.
For instance, lay your ring-finger straight across these sound-holes when playing an Overblow.

Holding the Overdrive

However, what maybe helpful to a learner, seems to this self-confessed old Overblower, somewhat tiresome... Why should I use my fingers if it works okay without?

However, with the Overdrive it doesn't work without - and this must be established quite clearly.

On the other hand, if you're learning about Overblows you should buy it, because it is not an expensive Customharp.
Otherwise, continue to struggle for hours, preparing your harp.

3. Substitute for a valved harp

To understand this point fully, one should have read »this article.

Instead of valving a harp, using the Overdrive simply cover the suitable canal with your finger, f.e. if you block hole 4 draw, thus below, with one finger covering the hole, you'll get a Blowbend in hole 4 that is usually unavailable.

»Soundsample here

The possibilities of the Overdrive are only hinted at with these examples. By half covering the holes, one can also achieve Vibrato and Bending effects, or replace the 'the tongue block'.

There is however, a condition: as a harmonica player you must be prepared to use your fingers like a flautist.

Another phenomenon: The reeds are almost indestructible. In 5 years, we at Harponline have sold less than 5 spare reed-plate sets and they were sold to people who seemed to intend to experiment with them.