Re: [Harp-L] Chromatic Harp_L?

[joe leone <3n037@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Jun 8, 2010, at 8:38 PM, Mojo Red wrote:
Having to do with dividing harmonicas into divisions.

 This was done most excellently tongue in cheek. To which I replied  
ALSO tongue in cheek. And I hope everyone took it as such. But I have  
a few things to submit that may or may not help explain the  
'perceived' division(s) in harpers. Remember, this is only an  
opinion. Ascertained from years of ascertainment.

1... There seem to be some (remember, I said some) music readers whom  
think that they are up a step when dealing with non music readers.  
This is fine EXCEPT, I know readers who play with no feeling. Given a  
choice, I prefer the one whom plays with feeling.

2... There are some (remember the some) players whom only play the C  
chromatic and learn everything in every key on said chromo. To this  
end, they feel they are up a step when dealing with people who play  
various keys IN that key. While it IS true that most players who play  
other keys DO do this, there are also players who use various keys IN  
various keys. Winding up with a THIRD various key.

3... There are chromo players who feel that unless you are able to  
play the melody, you are a step down. This is where there is a  
division between chromo and diatonic players. Some chromo players  
feel that for diatonic players to only comp., fill in, do runs &  
riffs, and in general add flavor, are not as interesting as someone  
who can do the 'recognizable' melody. They feel that even the  
diatonic solos are only improv. Even if the player can duplicate  
these solos, it is still improv.

4... Most chromo players (with exceptions) stay pretty much close to  
the melody. And anyone who goes so far out into orbit so as to loose  
said melody, are not good players, and therefore loose respect. While  
diatonic players are better known for pushing the extreme edge of the  
world and spend time balancing out over the edge, some getting very  
close to falling off, most chromo players don't venture as far into  
the netherworld.

5... Some chromo players are not impressed when someone plays  
diatonic, claims to also play chromo, but only uses the chromo in the  
3rd (Dm) position. Using the excuse that Dm is the easiest key one  
can possibly Play ON a chromo. Using the excuse that there is NO  
possible way to GET a discord in Dm, and ANY mouth full of DRAW notes  
will work as the notes all mesh melodically.

6... Some players (both chromatic and diatonic) feel that altered  
tunings are 'cheating'. Their feeling is that YOU are playing  
something that you PURPOSELY rigged in such a way that THEY can't  
duplicate it. Even if the only reason you did it was to make it sound  
better. They still think they are being 'slicked' (cheated).

7... There are players in both instruments that feel that their taste  
in music is what they will listen to. Instead of being open minded,  
and giving other music a chance. Why I remember a man leaving the  
hall when 'The Mooch' was played. Being a droning minor key  
arrangement, that (very good chromo player), referred to it as 'Devil  
Music'.

As I said the other day, I think it's an age thing. Many of the older  
players are set in their ways, and have developed a taste for music  
that, may seem to some people, be frozen in time.

8... Some players see harmonicas as being male & female. Just as the  
female it thought by many to be the 'newer improved' model, the  
older, earlier to arrive diatonic is the male from which the  
chromatic sprung almost 'rib like' onto the scene. To that end, some  
players see the chromatic as the new improved model.

9... Remember, chromatics are like an apartment building. Each and  
every note has a TRUE bone fide address. Some on the first floor  
(slide in). some on the second (slide out). Some on this side of the  
hall (draw), some on the opposite side (blow). But with a chromo. it  
is almost impossible to get an address wrong. A diatonic is more like  
a rooming house. Although you DO have apts/rooms for MOST of the  
notes, some have no TRUE home and live a..in the laundry room, b..in  
the stair well, c.. in the utility/furnace room, d.. in the linen  
locker, e.. in the void in the walls between apt 3 & 4 where the  
chimney and plumbing goes.

In other words, these are the notes where you (as the mail man) more  
or less INVENTED an address FOR them in an effort to 'deliver their  
mail'. Every note manufactured out of thin air has an address  
concocted out of thin air.

Ergo, I feel diatonics are more difficult to master than chromatics.  
I say this AS a (predominately) chromo player. So, in conclusion,  
everything is going to work out fine as the chromo band keeps getting  
smaller. The other day I said the dividing line is 64 years of age.  
15 years ago, I would have said 49. Time marches on..be patient.  
There's no reason for any (so called) divisions. Soon i will be a  
moot point..........by attrition.  :(

smokey-joe