[Harp-L] Chromatic KEY choices

[Joseph Leone]

This is the best explanation I have seen on the subject. I also play clarinet, trumpet, and some tenor. 
smokey joe and the cafes



> On Mar 14, 2017, at 10:36 AM, Doug Schroer <dougharps at xxxxx> wrote:
> 
> The choice of playing it all on a C or using different keys is a matter of
> choice to be based on your musical goals and aspirations.
> 
> If you are beginning to learn chromatic harmonica and want to be able to
> read classical music or to play music that change keys dramatically, then
> working to play all keys fluently and fluidly on one instrument is the way
> to go.  The best way to become good on chromatic (as a horn player would
> become good on a horn) is to devote yourself to mastering playing one
> instrument in all keys.  If you are planning on reading, then the music you
> play will be in the key on the sheet music without transposition or buying
> various keys of sheet music. Doing it all on one instrument is the way the
> greats approached chromatic, though some renowned players were reported to
> have used another key on occasion to facilitate a good performance.
> 
> Regardless of whether you decide to use different keys of chromatics later,
> I recommend that you begin with just one key. Usually the key of choice is
> a C instrument, though there is a lot of sheet music written for Bb
> instruments and for other keys, too. Sticking to just one key for a while
> while learning will help you gain skill on the instrument while you learn
> your way around it. You need to learn where the intervals are located.
> Later on you can explore whether you are able to or want to switch
> instruments (and scales) without confusion.
> 
> However, if you can already navigate a chromatic fairly well in a few keys
> and you want to expand your playing into more challenging keys so you sound
> good playing in difficult keys without years of work, then in my opinion
> keyed chromatics are a valid choice.  It depends on the music genres you
> like, the difficulty of the songs you want to play, and whether you will be
> reading notes or improvising. If you want to play competently in public in
> keys that are more difficult on a C chromatic, keyed chromatics are an
> option.
> 
> For improvising in the Americana, folk, and roots music I like, keyed
> chromatics work well for me. I can improvise readily playing by ear in keys
> that would be inaccessible to me on a single instrument. I use the slide a
> lot, too. This music can be played on a C (just listen to David Naditch
> play bluegrass and Gypsy jazz!), but often can be more easily played on an
> instrument closer to the key of the song. Chord options are different
> depending on the key of the song and key of the instrument, and some keys
> require difficult combinations of breath change and slide use that make
> plyaing smooth phrases very difficult.
> 
> My first instrument was a Bb clarinet, so I became familiar with the
> relativity of keys and the idea of transposing instruments early on. My
> first chromatic at age 11 was a G chromatic, because I first experienced
> chromatic harmonica when a relative played old popular songs on a chromatic
> in that key at a sing-a-long by a camp fire. Saxophones come in different
> keys as do some horns. It is all relative.
> 
> If you are really serious about being a good player, particularly if you
> intend to read music in many keys, keep working on using the C chromatic
> (or whatever key of instrument you have chosen as your key of chromatic to
> learn on) for all or most of your playing.
> 
> I do not claim to be a great chromatic player, but I can perform the music
> that I enjoy competently and I can improvise in all keys by using keyed
> chromatics.
> 
> 
> Doug S.