[Harp-L] Re: The Chromatic Harmonica

[Philharpn@xxxxxxx]

I've heard the expression that diatonic is "more vocal sounding" and the 
solo-tuned chromatic is more instrumental sounding. 

Partly this is because of the extended bending available on the diatonic, 
compared to the alleged limited bending on the chromatic. 

But also because of the tuning. Just intonation is allegedly more human 
voice-like than (most of ) the equal tempered chromatics (tuned like a piano).

Is the sax superior to the trumpet? No. Just different.

Same with the diatonic and chromatic. While they have a great deal in common, 
they also are decidely different instruments -- even if you try to play them 
the same.

But then even chromes are different. CX-12 doesn't sound anything like the 
conventional chrome -- and that's why I like it.

Phil Lloyd


In a message dated 10/1/07 8:20:37 PM, rick.dempster@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:
> Aaarrgh! For a start, I (who started this discourse - this time anyway) 
> never said: "The Chromatic Harmonica Sounds Like A Machine". In fact I was 
> chucking in my bit of praise to Stevie following an email pointing out what a 
> great piece his 'Alfie' was.
> My point was that Stevie is held in high regard because of his soulful 
> playing. In my opinion, it is because, in large part, of the way he shapes, bends 
> and ornaments just about every note he plays. I was saying, or thought I was 
> trying to say, that Stevie was an exemplar in causing the instrument to sound 
> quite un-machine-like.
> I might refer to Toot's remark in the interview in Richard Hunter's 'Jazz 
> Harp', which was something along the lines of "It's hard to get past the 'Look 
> Ma! No hands!' stage." - I couldn't have put it more succinctly.
> The harmonica did begin life as a novelty, and it's history has been an 
> amazing victory in overcoming this beginning.
> I say again, there is a lot of great chromatic harp playing now, and in the 
> past. I like some of the 'novel' stuff as well, and think,when I read people 
> sweating over their concern about making the harmonica accepted as a  
> 'legitimate' instrument, of the old Lester Flatt song "Don't get above your raisin' 
> ."
> Frankly, even some of the greats have a tendency to sound 'naff' to my ears 
> at times, and I prefer the 'innocence' of Tommy Reilly's work' (that's how it 
> sounds to me Winslow, no matter how sophisticated he was, which I wouldn't 
> contest) to that of at least some of Larry Adler's, for example L
> I play, or attempt to play chromatic. I'm not dagging on the instrument. 
> Settle down!
> RD
> 
> >>> Sergei <svolkov@xxxxxxxxx> 1/10/2007 9:20 >>>
> Always a joy to wander through such impassionate threads. Does Stevie
> Wonder sound like a machine?
> 
> 
> 
> 




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