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

[Philharpn@xxxxxxx]

Some songs/music just sounds better on a diatonic than a chromatic. This  
has to do with several things beyond the basic visual difference of the  
instruments. Some of the differences are obvious: the diatonic is smaller, lacks 
 the double C's in the layout and because of bends and overblows offers 
economy  of movement and playability. An octave spanning 4 holes is easier to 
play than  one of five holes on are larger harmonica.
 
Another difference frequently ignored is the tuning: most diatonics are  
closer to just tuning while chromatics are equal temperament (except for 
Richter  chromatics: Koch, SlideHarp). 
 
In jazz, western swing, folk, blues, country and pop a series of "smeared"  
notes adds flavor to a performance. However, these same "less precise" 
notes  played in music that demands precise intonation and timbre sound muddy or 
 sloppy, even pitchy played in a series of bent notes or overblows. 
 
One of the great gospel diatonic players frequently plays a classical piece 
 as an encore. This always proves to be a crowd pleaser and brings down the 
 house. But to any one who is familiar with the classical piece it is clear 
he is  leaving out the tricky parts and glossing over some of the others -- 
mostly  likely because the notes are not available with bends (he doesn't 
overblow).  This doesn't mean that his performance is lousey because  of 
these  shortcomings. It just comes up a little short.
 
And even the great chromatic players from the Golden Age of Harmonica left  
out difficult parts in extended pieces because certain runs were nearly  
impossible, if not downright impossible, to play -- even on a chromatic.
 
 
For those who like hybrid playing -- using a variety of "bent notes" and  
"give notes" the Hohner SlideHarp offers this choice. It is as large as the  
conventional solo-tuned chromatic  but retains the Richter layout and if  
you need to start a song on what would be a bent note on a blues harp, the  
button allows for a "given note" that is always on pitch and will not wobble.  
(On the A in the first octave is not available as a given note and must be  
bent.)
 
Always get the right tool for the job. The test is in the performance. That 
 is why there are so many different tunings in the Richter line, with the 
country  tuning just the most obvious. 
 
If you like bent notes, invest in at least one XB-40 -- where every note  
bends at least a half-step. If you don't own a chromatic, buy a Hohner 
Educator  -- an air-tight 10-hole with no windsavers to clog, stick or fall out. 
Try a Lee  Oskar Melody Maker. And buy one of the upscale diatonics that 
overblow out of  the box. It's not that some harmonica tunings are better -- 
chrome v. diatonic  -- just that they are different. And to exploit each to its 
fullest, you have to  understand this difference.
 
Hope this helps
Phil
 
 
 
 
 
 
In a message dated 7/3/2010 4:00:02 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
paulandrewroutledge@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

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