--- Begin Message ---
- Subject: Re: help
- From: "JACK ELY"@mrgate.mec.ohio.gov
- Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1993 18:15:00 EDT
- A1-type: DOCUMENT
- Posting-date: Tue, 18 May 1993 00:00:00 EDT
>David Pinzino wrote... >Dear Friends, > > I am conducting research for a paper on harmonicas and need to get >interviews with harmonica players. If it would not be too much trouble, >I would like to ask you to answer some questions about diatonic vs. >chromatic harmonicas. I need somewhat detailed answers and afterward >please give some of your background as a harmonica player. [I wrote the following reply about a month ago but never posted it ] [because I was still pondering a couple questions. Sorry it's late.] Jack Ely >1. What are the major differences between playing a chromatic and a diatonic? Many techniques used on the two harmonicas are the same, i.e., bending notes, vibrato, embouchure (tongue block/pucker), octaves, double stops, etc. - Some techniques however are not used - at least not needed. For example overblows are not needed on the chromatic because all the notes are there. Also, playing cross harp or 2nd position is not used on the chromatic because you can play in any key (if you read). I think the main difference or reason for selecting one over the other is the style of music and the effect you want. I.e., blues or country fit the diatonic better as a rule. Some sounds or effects just cant be obtained or at least don't sound as good on the chromatic. >2. Is one easier to play? I don't know if you are talking about mechanics here or not but I think the diatonics are stronger (louder) harps and will take more punishment. Diatonics tend to respond better. Once learned, switching back and forth from diatonic to chromatic is not a problem - your brain quickly learns the differences in intervals (distance between holes, air pressure required, etc.) At our Wednesday night club meetings - which are 100% chromatic players, plus one chord and one bass, I will pull out my diatonic just to see if I can play a song we may be jamming on, and then switch back to chromatic. I maintain that playing both never hurt anyone. >3. Is one easier to learn? IMHO The chromatic is easier to learn - if you learn by reading music from a well planned method. Chromatic methods are all pretty straight forward and structured similarly. You can (and should) learn to play in all keys on a C tuned chromatic. Diatonic immediately throws new wrinkles at a beginner - like bending notes, overblows, etc. and the incredible amount of music theory you need to be able play the thing properly. (granted, some are naturals - they hear and feel the music and are able, with practice, to play it without much formal theory). I'm convinced that to master the diatonic you must master theory. This is essentially true with chromatic or any other instrument but the diatonic GRABS you real quick with it. That's why most diatonics are lying in dresser drawers. Thank god there are some good diatonic methods available now days. Hohner and other makers sell harmonicas by telling you how easy they are to play - That is El Toro Poo Poo! (B.S.) >4. What advantages does the diatonic have? It fits in your shirt pocket :-). Seriously, I'm a chromatic player but I ALWAYS have one, usually two diatonics in my pocket for when I get the urge. Also, I think diatonics blow easier (better response) and louder, and have fewer maintenance problems due to the simplicity in construction. With the Richter (Marine Band) tuning you can chug on the lower three or four holes and produce chord rhythms that sound good even if you don't know what you're doing. There are no dischords on a diatonic. >5. What advantages does the chromatic have? Quicker to learn - I can have a beginner with no musical experience playing a chromatic in four weeks (8 - 10 hours of instruction). In that I mean... Playing a single note, Playing the C scale, Playing the F scale, Playing the chromatic scale in C, Playing three simple tunes, Playing a tune in F. Plus they would have enough knowledge to practice properly and and learn more advanced techniques on their own such as - tongue blocking and pucker embouchure, playing octaves, various types of vibrato, develop better tone, and playing double stops (thirds, fifths, sixths). [I would be doing good to teach someone to bend one note on a diatonic in that amount of time]. >6. What disadvantages does the diatonic/chromatic have? Chromatics are harder to maintain in good working order, partially due to problems with the windsavers or valves. >7. What is the average cost of each? Chromatic $75-$100 - Diatonic $10 - $25 (Retail) They can go much higher... Hohner's Meisterklas diatonic is around $100 Hohner's Amadeus chromatic is $1,000 >8. Which is easier to maintain? Diatonic - simpler construction. However you tend to blow a note out of tune (flat) quicker on a diatonic due to the bending. >9. What sort of availability is there for parts or repair? Poor - But getting better - Never throw a harp away - keep it for parts and practicing your repair skills. Lee Oskar has just come out with a repair kit with instructions on adjusting and tuning reeds ($25.00). >10. Which usually lasts longer? Why? With good care both should give good service - Diatonic maybe a little less mainly due to the style & intensity of play - lots of bending etc. >11. Which is the most versatile? I would have to vote for diatonic. >12. Which is best suited for which types of music? That's a tough question. Basically I guess I would say use the harmonica which sounds best for what you want to play. As a rule you would use a diatonic for blues, country/western (folk'n western music), etc. because of the bends and other effects you can get to create the sound you want. Chromatic seams to create a sweeter tone for ballads etc. All the trills are available (although some are quite difficult) that you might need in classical or other "heavy" music like show tunes, marches, big band, etc. [I really have a tough time categorizing music]. Chromatic also allows the use of dynamics like octaves, double stops (3rds, 5ths, 6ths) across the full range of the harmonica. Charlie Musselwhite, whom we think of as a blues harp player, uses a chromatic for his beautiful rendition of "Yesterdays" (not the Beatles "Yesterday" but the older tune with a similar name). Also, if you learn the basics of playing chromatic by reading music, you can learn anything in any key on a "C" chromatic by playing what is written. But the diatonic shouldn't have to be limited to a style of music any more than the chromatic. You can play blues on a chromatic, you can play classical on a diatonic. Our SHORT HARP group is working on a stage presentation for next year's Buckeye Harmonica Festival which is being designed to show off the versatility of the diatonic. We want to show the "chromatic fanatics" that you can play more than blues and imitate trains on a diatonic. >13. Why do chromatic and diatonic players seem to dislike each other? I think it is mainly a dislike for the type of music usually played on the diatonic (blues or jazz). A lot of chromatic players are musical snobs (or illiterates) and feel they have reached a higher level on a superior instrument - not true in my opinion. I've seen chromatic players walk out on performances of some of the finest diatonic players around. This attitude makes me sick. It isn't shared by all chromatic players but the ones that dislike diatonic are more vocal about it. I don't think the dislike is as strong from the diatonic side - they seem to accept the chromatic players for what they are and most seem eager to learn the chromatic or at least listen to it. >14. Why do blues players typically play on diatonics and chromatics yet classical music is only played on chromatics? Some classical music fits nicely on a diatonic. Some classical music contains difficult chromatic runs or trills that are impossible on a diatonic. (unless you are talking about Howard Levy). >15. Please make any other comments you might have about the topic. I think all harmonca players should learn to play both diatonic and chromatic, regardless of which one they favor. Not that you need to become equally proficient on them, but just to expand your knowledge and appreciation of each. Besides, it's fun. >I do appreciate your time in helping my research. If it were not for >computers none of the this would have been possible. > > David Pinzino > Down Home Blues Harmonica Club These answers / opinions are my views on the subject of chromatic vs diatonic for whatever they're worth. I play and also teach a course on chromatic harmonica, my main instrument. I started on diatonic as a kid (like everyone else in the world) but had no teacher and didn't have any idea what the diatonic could do. As soon as I could afford a chromatic my diatonics were put aside. I figured with that button on the end I would be able to play all the stuff I couldn't play on the diatonic, NOT! Now I'm trying to learn more about diatonic harmonica and the many styles of music you can play on it. In addition to our regular Wednesday club meetings which is all chromatic, a small group of guys who are interested in learning diatonic meet each Tuesday. We call our group the "SHORT HARP SIG". Jack Ely, Buckeye State Harmonica Club
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