[Harp-L] Re: Chrometta

[Richard Hunter <turtlehill@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

"Chris Hammond" wrote:
"... I play CX-12's and a 280... Anybody have any suggestions regarding
the jaw pain thing?"

The CX-12 has a big, loud sound, and it's a great chromatic when you
want the chromatic to punch like a diatonic, but that mouthpiece is fat,
and it takes some getting used to.

I recommend that you focus on relaxing your mouth when playing the
CX-12.  Be sensitive to the muscles, and when you feel them tightening
up, relax them.  Over time, you'll find that you can play for extended
periods without strain.  Don't try to force a big, fat sound into
existence with your lip and mouth muscles; think big and fat -- meaning
hear the tone you want in your head -- adjust your mouth as you go along
(always staying relaxed), and the sound will follow.

Whether the CX-12 sounds just like George Smith is another question.  As
I understand it, the old blues guys were pretty strong on the importance
of sounding like yourself. So the most important question may not be
whether the CX-12 sounds like George Smith, but whether it sounds like
-- you.  

This is a question to put to your muse, not a value judgement.  It's
always a good thing to study the artists one loves very carefully; it
teaches you something about yourself as well as the other artists. I
surely do think that the CX-12 is one very expressive chromatic,
though.  I'd be loathe to drop it just because George Smith wasn't
fortunate enough to have one. 

Regards, Richard Hunter
http://www.hunterharp.com