Re: [Harp-L] re: Diatonic-sounding chromatic?

[Philharpn@xxxxxxx]

First of all harmonica fans, chromatics and diatonic are tuned differently. 
No, this is not the note layout difference between a Marine Band layout and a 
solo tuned button chromatic.

They also have different tunings for some of the same reeds. 

These two things together contribute to the different "sound" or timbre. 
Valves don't have anything to do with the sound except by reducing air leaks -- a 
leaky harmonica DOES sound different from a better sealed one. 

(Some people are under the misapprehension that they can turn their button 
solo tuned chromatic into a blues harp by simply removing the valves/windsavers. 
Not true. This addresses only one problem of the bending equation: 
interaction of blow-draw reeds on draw bends. It doesn't rearrange the note layout 
needed.)

Almost all chromatics are solo tuned. Exceptions include Hohner's   Koch 
(based on the Marine Band note layout: a C and C# harmonica sandwich WITHOUT 
valves) and the Hohner Slide Harp which is identical except it has valves on the 
draw notes. Valves and windsavers are the same thing; they merely reduce the air 
leakage. Hence, the Koch is a really leaky harmonica. The Slide Harp which is 
half-valved, does not leak as much.

Both of these diatonic harmonicas allow bending like on the standard 10-hole 
diatonic. Hering makes a 10-hole that is fully valved. It does not bend like a 
diatonic; it bends like a chromatic.

The Slide Harp and Hering allow blow bending on the first six (or low holes) 
just like every solo tuned chromatic with valves/windsavers does.

In addition to the note layouts, diatonics and chromatics "sound" different 
between they are tuned differently. The blues harp, Marine Band style 
harmonicas are generally "just" tuned, which means they are tuned in fifths, octaves 
(or something like that) and thus make good chords.

Chromatics are tuned like pianos in an equal or tempered or compromise tuning 
that sounds good in all keys.


Some people don't consider these diatonic-layout (Richter tuned) real 
chromatics because even though they have a button to raise the pitches a half-step, 
they still follow the Richter (blues harp) note pattern. But as I recall, the 
original chromatic harmonica followed the design of the Richter tuned chromatic 
(like the Koch and Slide Harp). 












In a message dated 11/26/06 3:27:08 PM, jross38@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:

> Nick Noviello wrote:
> 
> "All chromatics sound to me somewhere between the harp sound I love 
> and an accordion!
> Which chromatic can sound closest to a Marine Band, or even a Special 
> 20? Is anyone making a chromatic using diatonic reeds?"
> 
> I don't think any chromatic comes particularly close to the sound of 
> a diatonic (though I also don't think they are that far apart to 
> begin with).  Probably Bill Barrett is the person who I think has the 
> most raw tone on chromatic I've heard, and he plays CX-12s 
> (modified?).  I think it's as much about playing style as anything 
> else in terms of how you make the chromatic sound.  When I hear 
> someone like Dennis Gruenling or other blues players using the chrom 
> in 3rd position with lots of tongue-blocking, it is very similar to 
> the way that they make the diatonic sound, IMO.
> 
> As for reeds, there is very little difference between the reeds used 
> in chromatics and those used in diatonics (if any).  I think the 
> difference in sound comes mostly from two factors (other than playing 
> style): first, the valving of the notes.  This makes a big 
> difference, as can be seen when you valve a diatonic.  Second, the 
> air leakage inherent in a slider-based system.
> 
> Hope this helps.
> 
> 
>   ()()    JR "Bulldogge" Ross
> ()  ()   & Snuffy, too:)
> `----'
> 
> 
> 
> 
>