Re: [Harp-L] Harp L: Chromatic versus Diatonic

[michael rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx>]

When I want the sound of the  chromatic, I play chromatic.  When I
want the sound of the diatonic and I want to be able to play notes
that need overblows, I play diatonic with  overblows.  Hopefully, that
explains it.

I will say there are some diatonic players who prefer not only equal
tuned harps, but either equal tuned or compromised just tuned harps
that they have retuned in such a way that to me it sounds more like a
chromatic than a diatonic.  However, there are elements that remain
distinctly diatonic.  I would place Chris Michalek in this category.
Perhaps these are the players you are wondering about.   Perhaps one
of them would speak up.  I am glad PT Gazell said what he did about
his use of valved bends.
Michael Rubin
Michaelrubinharmonica.com

On Sat, Jul 3, 2010 at 2:58 AM, Paul Routledge
<paulandrewroutledge@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> I posted the message below in a thread over on the MBH forum and thought it
> might be a good topic to explore here.
>
> I'm not personally a great fan of overblows as I have stated on previous
> occasions. However I do think that they have a place in music. It's just my
> preference not to use them.
>
> I can see why some people like using them in a blues context, but when it
> comes to playing jazz, classical, pop, etc and wishing to play
> chromatically. I can't see why people wouldn't just choose to use a
> chromatic harmonica instead. The tonality exhibited by most people playing
> chromatically on a diatonic in genres outside of blues (and maybe country
> music) is so close to the chromatic, that I honestly don't see any real
> tangible benefits in using it.
>
> For example if you listen to the audio clip that Chris Michalek posted. It
> is extremely good playing as usual by Chris, although it's overall tonality
> owes more to the chromatic work of Stevie Wonder and Toots than anything
> else. So I just can't see why it wouldn't be better to use the chromatic.
>
> The clip by Chris can be found about halfway down this page:
>  http://www.modernbluesharmonica.com/board/board_topic/5560960/607263.htm?page=1
>
> I'd be interested in hearing the reasons for and against choosing to use a
> diatonic played chromatically over the chromatic harmonica, when playing in
> genres outside of blues.
>
>
> Paul
>