[Harp-L] Not fair to the Chromatic

[bon@xxxxxxxxxx]

 Jazzman writes:  "The CX has an interesting sound, but its still a 
single-reed valved system and to my ears that will never sound as rich as 
a dual reed unvalved system."

This is a crock; the chromatic can have a huge full sound that blows the 
diatonic away.  I play both and there is no way that the diatonic can make 
the opening of Ravel's Pavane on my Romances recording sound as big, 
powerful and full.  Unless you get away from mics and learn to kplay with 
power on chromatic, you can not know the power the chromatic can have.

I have been going after more and more power and volume over the last ten 
years; Howard has been bringing better and better intonation to overblows 
over the last ten years.  It may end up that we decide not to play certain 
pieces or that we use mics on some, but let all of us see how far we can 
push the envelope.  All of us know if we have failed or been successful.

Last week was the Rotterdam Philharmonic for me; kVaughan Williams Romance 
for Harmonica, Strings and Piano; everything went great in rehearsals, and 
the sound system had problems in performance.  I went totally acoustic 
again and some people said i actually covered the orchestra up in a few 
places.

The harmonica is a great instrument; let's push the edges and see what 
falls through the judgement of time.  

BTW, for Chris, OB is a totally fake technique and should remain so as 
long as possible!

Harmonically yours,

Robert
Bonfiglio

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