Re: [Harp-L] Anyone else who plays chromatic and diatonic- "harmonically ambidexrious"

[Roger A Gonzales <gonz1@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Its great to hear from someone like Randy who advocates the advantages of utilizing both 
harmonicas; diatonic and chromatic.  I also use both in my work.  I also am able read for my 
instrument as well as improvise.  You can't earn a Masters Degree in Music Education without 
being able to do all the things a musician is able to do.  Read, write, compose, improvise and 
entertain.  I just completed my masters this past Fall at CSU Fresno.  

Having a dual identity is a good thing.  Ironically, as I am writing this post, I am listening to 
another player who has this versalitity, Tollack Ollestad.  He is with a group based out of LA 
called "Shapes" headed by a great musician named Roger Burn.  Jimmy Haslip the bassist 
from the Yellow Jackets has produced their last two albums.  Tollack is actually a triple 
threat.  On this album I am listening to he uses the chromatic, diatonic and the bass!  Pretty 
cool eh?

Randy wrote:

> I am  
> constantly switching from chromatic to diatonic even in mid song 
> just to keep the energy fresh.

This is just one of the many reasons to develop your skills on more than one harmonica.  
There are many more.  

Thanks for the post Randy.  From one one ambidextrous harmonica player to another.

regards,
Roger Gonzales
Fresno, CA.