Re: [Harp-L] Is it my ears or does the chromatic sound different? Not as rich & soulful or what?

[Jp Pagán <jplpagan@xxxxxxx>]

Hi Fran,

It definitely does sound different. There's a few reasons for that, most of which I think have already been addressed. But while they are different, they have their own strengths. When I started, I played diatonics, mostly blues, but I had a chromatic as well. I always figured I'd use it, but I couldn't get a sound I liked. I used to HATE the sound of the chromatic—or so I thought. I couldn't stand to listen to Toots Thielemans or other players like him. One day, I realized that "I'm Ready" was played on a chromatic (by Little Walter, of course) and that changed my thinking completely. He made it sound huge, swingin', even a little scary. I started looking for more. I found George Smith, Rod Piazza, and eventually William Clarke. Listening to Clarke convinced me the chromatic had a sound I could love. I met an incredible player in NYC—Randy Weinstein, who played chromatic as part of Hazmat Modine and still has what might be my favorite sound.  Of course, eventually I realized I'd always liked the chromatic, particularly Stevie Wonder's playing. I discovered Paul Delay. I grew to appreciate Toots Thielemans, Larry Adler and a host of others. I discovered Bill Barrett, William Galison, Marcus Milius, Brendan Power, Filip Jers... 

There's lots of great chromatic out there. You just have to find the sound you like.

Nowadays, almost all I play is on chromatic.

JP



> I've consider the chromatic off and on for a long time. I even have an
> inexpensive one in the case with my diatonics... but...
> 
> Somehow it sounds different to me... do any of you guys agree?
> 
> The attractive thing about it of course is you have every note available to
> you... and that means you can play any melody... but...
> 
> Well, I don't know... maybe I haven't listened to enough chromatic players...
> 
> What do you guys think?

--JP