Re: [Harp-L] Harmonica within a larger Musical Framework
On Oct 20, 2008, at 3:14 PM, Philharpn@xxxxxxx wrote:
I consider a variety of harps essential to the well- stocked harp
box. This
includes diatonics in all keys, country tuned harps, minor keys,
Melody Maker
as well chromes in 10s, 12, 16s and several keys and special
tunings like C7
and G7.
I think that a full (extended to ..maybe 15) set of Richters, and
about 6 country, 4 or so minors, and a chromo 48 or 56 would suffice.
For the sake of argument -- Chromatic players are more likely to
read music
than diatonic. Why this is, I don't really know.
I do. Most harmonica players start out by ear. Eventually, there
comes a time when they want to play something that has a couple key
changes that isn't easy to do by ear, and so, will use some sort of
crutch. In my case, I will jot down a difficult section. That's all I
usually need. If playing in an ensemble, music is handy to keep you
on time and in synch with the rest of the players. Especially if your
part is a harmony part. Harmony parts are easier if written down. Not
that it's can't be done by ear. There are some amazingly proficient
ear harmonizers, but they are an anomoly.
With reading music comes an understanding of how mucic works.
This is not to say that if you don't read music, you don't
understand music
theory. But some basic reading skills go a long way to
understanding music..
Some players are what I would call a natural, and can do anything,
but, again, very rare.
There are a number of possibilities:
1. Some see the chrome as more advanced because it has "all" with
touch of
button.
I would have used the word appropriate. Some work is best done with a
chisel, some a plane.
2. Consequently, they see it as less limiting.
A chromo IS less limiting. Diatonics (at the advanced level) are
monsters to play.
3. Possible but feasible. How many times can you try to play a song
on a
diatonic on to find you need several bends in a row. But trying it
on chrome works
out (even Hohner Slider Harp).
Exactly. Many notes on diatonic must be 'manufactured'. Herein lies
the Achille's heel. It take effort to master the tonality, timbre,
pitch.
4. The range of 10 holes is too short -- you need 4 octaves to play
all the
notes (even with overblows and bends).
On some tunes, you need to special tuning..no matter HOW good you
are. On many tunes, you have to switch harps. Yes, it's true, some
players CAN play without the special tuning, but they either work
around the critical notes, leave them out entirely, or junk em up so
bad, they would have been better left out. Nothing worse than leaving
out those critical notes. When I hear someone do that, it just kills
it....for me.
Blues
And you're right about the key of C for chromatic players -- Hohner
repair
techs report the reeds needed to play in the key of C are those
most often
replaced (esp. on the chord harmonica).
Yes. The premise here (correct me if I'm wrong) is that most chromo
players play in C on a C chromo. Ok, I'll buy that. But just like
there are neophyte, hobbyist, 'owner', players on Chromo, we have
that on diatonic too. The divinig rod being that diatonic harpists
can change keys by changing harps. Not everyone can sit there like
Michael Rubin and stay on one harp.
The counterpoint to why all chromatic players play in the key of C
is the
same reason all diatonic players always play the same stuff in
second position.
Ok, another way of saying what I was trying to say...only better.
FYI: Keys of G and F would be almost as easy on chrome as they
require one
button push for F# and Bb respectively.
(Personally) rather than picking G, I would sooner pick D as a second
choice. Draw keys seem to sound better on a chromo. All my chromo
tunes on you-tube) have been in draw keys. Most were also minor keys.
Exception: After the Lovin in G nat. (which was diatonic). Fwiw (my
opinion) when you're playing in minor keys, you are no longer in the
'safe' world.
smo-joe
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