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

[Paul Routledge <paulandrewroutledge@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thank you for your input  Michael.
Your first paragraph does explain it pretty well really.  It is indeed  
that area where the diatonic sounds like the chromatic that intrigues  
me. I'm sure the tuning as you mentioned and/or the position as stated  
by PT Gazell plays a significant part in this.

Chris Michalek and Howard Levy often to my ear have more of a  
chromatic harmonica sound to their diatonic harmonica playing and that  
is what really sparked my thoughts on this subject. PT's explanation  
as to the reasons for this are also very interesting and explain a  
lot. Chris Michalek has also offered his view on the subject over on  
MBH.

Paul





On 3 Jul 2010, at 16:22, michael rubin wrote:

> 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