Re: [Harp-L] which end is up on chromatic harmonicas

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

Straight or cross tuned doesn't matter much, and for some types you won't have much choice.

What you DO want is one that's solo-tuned, with a note layout that repeats exactly every four holes. Most are, but some come tuned like  standard diatonic, but with  slide. This will defeat the purpose of the usual chromatic sound, though those harps do get used now and then.

Most blues chromatic you hear is played in third position, which means that the band will be tuned one step higher than the harp. For instance, if the band is in D, you'd use a C chromatic. (if the band is in E-flat, just hold the button in, as that raises the pitch of the entire harmonica by a semitone).

Little Walter mostly used the 16-hole Hohner 64, which comes only in C, so he mostly played chromatic in the band key of D (though sometimes he'd sneakily switch back and forth between chromatic and diatonic, often using a G-harp).

Other players such as Bill Clarke and George Smith often played 12-hole chromatics, which come in several keys. So you might hear the band key of G being played in an F-chromatic, or C on a B-flat chromatic, for instance.


Winslow

 
Winslow Yerxa
Author, Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
            Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS
            Blues Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7
Resident Harmonica Expert, bluesharmonica.com
Instructor, Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance


________________________________
 From: paul.mohney3 <paul.mohney3@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx 
Sent: Wednesday, October 3, 2012 1:20 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] which end is up on chromatic harmonicas
 
I am a harmonica player in the sense, that  I am a plumber because I can replace a water heater.
It's not the only thing I do but I do enjoy it a lot more than plumbing.
I've had a few people help me on the way towards being something in the neighborhood of a musician.
I figured about a lot of it myself, with the patience of jam hosts from one end of orange and L.A. to the other, and my long suffering neighbors.
      I would like to add the chromatic harmonica to my i'd say repertoire but arsenal might be a better word.
I listen to William Clarke, George Smith, Carey and Lurey Bell, Robert Lucas and all my head says is that's not f'ng possible.
I can hear, the chromatic qualities,But I have yet to figure out what keys they are playing in relationship to the rest of the band.
Then there is the what kind of harmonica, straight tuned, cross tuned.
I have a Hohner Chrometta 12, and a Swann M 1040.
Given how I  learn, if i know what hardware goes where and when, I can work out the rest, @ work at night where only the occasional raccoon, possum and feral cat cross my path.
Then there's the microphone thing, I have 17 microphones and like 5 amps, gotta be one of 'em that will head me in the direction i need to go in.
So if one or more of you would be as so kind as to give me a link to somewhere that will save you typing, and help fill in the gaps in my knowledge, that would be much appreciated.
Or if their is some mystical recluse i might seek out, O.K. I probably won't but I do enjoy a good story.
I will be at the Bliss  525 jam tomorrow, maybe i'll see some of you there.
Paul
Old guy with the Chinese tatts