Hi I think I'm ready to start fooling around with a chromatic ----When I hear blues guys ---it sounds like a lot of octave splits--I just checked online what the note layout is for chromatic-------- on top [blow] u have the same note layout as on a diatonic ,sorta,----ok so I have root of the 1 chord octave split and same for the 4 chord----but for the bottom ‘draw’ I have to block 3 holes [holes 2 3 4] etc for the 5 chord--------------- question 1] is the space distance roughly the same between holes [width] on a chromatic, or are they wider than on a diatonic?----------2] can u bend d1 and d5 easily? 3] do most blues players ,play with button in, or out? why? 4] whats is it like having the same note and same octave on blow 4 and 5 etc ? 5] Im thinking HOHNER 7545 CX-12 BLACK CHROMATIC HARMONICA KEY OF C-- lowest new I saw was $200 free ship–----hohner super chromatica also around $200 ? preferably under $200---open to suggestions –even used---prefer hohner bcuz u can buy individual reeds? rockin ron??? who buy from????-------6] best key—im thinking C---but G seems popular? open to any suggestions--Thanks
For under $200 you can get an Easttop for about $125 -135. Or for around $175 a Seydel or a Suzuki from NewHarmonica.com or Rockin Ron. You can get a Soul's Voice chromatic from harp depot for less. If you want round holes on the mouthpiece , which is what the tongue blockers seem to prefer, Suzuki and Easttop come with nice smooth rounded mouthpieces. It is an option with Seydel. $50 or so. I can't tongue block well, my mouth and throat don't work very well, radiation damage and surgery scars, bending is hard too, that's why I use chromatics and alternate tunings.
The spacing is bigger because the dividers and the holes are bigger.
Some people rarely use the button, others use it a lot. Personal preference and style. If you learn to use the button all the notes are available.
I didn't like having the same noted on 4 and 5 so mine are bebopped. On a C harp replace the first C in each repeating pair with a Bb . That gives 2 full keys without using the button. Orchestra tuning is getting popular, it is a C harp, but blow 1 is G3. Custom job except for expensive harps. NewHarmonica has Seydel deluxe orchestra tuned listed as in stock for $200. That would be a nice harp. And you could bebop that too. I've never played a CX 12, they are very popular because of easy disassembly and cleaning and are loud. They seem to be a harp that people either love, or hate. They look cool. I have a super chromonica that I really like, but it has a custom comb, and was retuned and set up by Gnarley. Sometimes I really like that mellow Hohner sound, other times I like the Easttop , especially if I feel like getting loud and stupid with it. It feels bulletproof . I'm tempted to half valve it for more bending...
wow--- thats helpful sorry to hear about rad damage etc I admire u for still pluggin and playin away--don't give up---I have a fairly arthritic index finger on my left hand, and my little finger is sevrerly bent on left as well, from bad break in 9th grade---i have to drop notes in chords and refinger a lot---but havn't given up ----------I have to think about your re tune deal------- [I didn't like having the same noted on 4 and 5 so mine are bebopped. On a C harp replace the first C in each repeating pair with a Bb . That gives 2 full keys without using the button---Orchestra tuning is getting popular, it is a C harp, but blow 1 is G3] -------------I think I get it--- but will play normal tune for awhile-----I detune my 7 draw on major tuned a half step--- so Im not afraid of that kind of stuff---. Thanks again
I think the CX12 makes a good first chromatic. You can get those for less than $200. Octaves are a little harder at first, but if you cover 5 holes, and you can with practice, you can octave double every note. Of course the Cs can be doubled covering only 4 but it's better I think to learn to cover 5. ---------- For every moment of triumph, every instance of beauty, many souls must be trampled. HST
My go to chromatic for years has been the Hohner Professional 2016, long out of production. I also have a Hohner Discovery 48 for practicing in the car(easy to hold with one hand). I recently purchased a Suzuki SCX 64 from Rockin Ron's, and find it to be excellent for the following reason: great quality for a great price. Feels well made, very airtight, responsive across all four octaves, smooth, quiet slide, comfortable mouthpiece, nice tone and good projection. Like all chromatics, it needs to be warmed before playing to avoid sticky valves, and you have to wipe this model if you don't like the fingerprint look, as it is very shiny chrome. I am not affiliated, just delighted with the instrument and confident in recommending it.
I own this one, a hohner CBH 2016 (16 hole, no longer avail), and hohner chromonica (16 hole). The Suzuki is my favorite of the 3 to play and carry in my case for jams. Of the 3 it's the first I'd recommend and one I'd have no problem ordering again. I've even considered ordering their 16 hole version.
As far as education, you can't go wrong with lessons from Michael Rubin via Skype. I can't exactly remember how long it was for me but I think in under a year you'll learn to play along with jam tracks in all 12 major and blues scales. I can play at a jam in all 12 keys and get asked about it all the time from other harmonica players who think D (3rd position) is it.
1) Chromatic holes are much bigger than diatonic holes and therefore wider spaced. On a Hohner diatonic from the beginning of Hole 1 to the end of Hole 10 is 2 7/8 inches, or 72mm. Ten holes on a standard chromatic is 3 3/4 inches, or about 92 mm. This makes isolating single notes a bit easier, but octaves are much more of a stretch.
2) Bending on chromatics is different because each blow and reed is isolated and they don’t interact - and interaction between blow and draw during bending creates the signature sound of bending on diatonic.. Consequently bending on chromatic requires greater finesse. That said, while the tone of chromatic bends isn’t as lush as on diatonics, many notes can be bent much farther. (Also, the top 2 or 3 holes are not valved, giving you a juicy bend on Draw 11.
3) Most blues players will play a C chromatic in D, using the D minor6 draw chord, and don’t use the button. If you hold the slide button in, you can play in Eb in the identical fashion. However, some players put the slide into play, such as Dennis Gruenling.
4) Players often get confused by the double Cs in Blow 4 and 5. They’re needed to keep the blow and draw notes in the same alignment through the entire range of the harp, and you can take advantage of them, or retune the one on the left to another note, like Bb or A. I have a number of exercises for learning to deal with them.
5) I’d opt for the CX-12 over the traditional Super Chromonica. It’s more airtight, easier to service, and bends well. Also, its moutpiece is much more tongue block friendly.
6) Key depends on what you want to do with it. Twelve-hole chroms come in 7 or 8 keys, with C as the highest pitched. C is most common, but again, what do you want to do with it? If you want to play in third position, then match the key of the harp to your most likely third position key. Some players have them in several keys. William Clarke used to sound magnificent on an F chrom. For fiddle tunes, D is a good choice, but only if you also want to learn first, second, third and 12th positions. Most learning material is written for a C chromatic.
By the way, I authored a long series of articles on chromatic for HarmonicaSessions.com. You can check them out here:
I also teach both in person and online. I’m the author of Harmonica For Dummies and Blues Harmonica For Dummies and am a faculty member at the Jazzschool in Berkeley, California .=========== Winslow
A great inexpensive option is the top of the line 12 hole Swan with round mouthpiece. The reeds seem good, the valves are great. the mouthpiece is very comfortable and they play great. The throw of the slide is a little longer and has great action. They sound a little softer than other brands but playing through an amp this won't matter. They sell for around $80.00 at The Swann Music store in Colorado on line. I wouldn't go to Ebay because there is no way of knowing what you would actually get. I haven't tryed thier 64 so I can't coment on it. I do have about 30 chromatics my favorite models being Hohner CX-12 and Suzuki SCX models which of course are more expensive.
You guys are helping me a lot---thanks Im not in a hurry, gonna shoot for getting whatever I decide on in next couple months---Gnarly, Winslow and any one I missed, can you further recommend instructional dvd, cd's, your site----a website---books---for blues playin on chromatic—similar to R Piazza style—or like the post A Gussow put on [john95683]---[Curtis Salgado post] of Kim Wilson playing chromatic------Maybe a list, of a few songs, by any artist of this vein—If I didn’t mention you or yr favorite player Im sorry=--Just examples I used--------another question [There are 4 more holes on a 16 hole vs 12 hole- does it have an extra octave higher or lower? I think lower---If in fact lower-- has anyone used, just the root note of The I IV IV at a low volume to give the guitar player more to play over? I do octave splits on I IV V on a regular harp, at a low volume, to give a guitar player , who does not have any other rhythm players ,maybe only a bass player—it gives a sort of strings sound at low volume for the guy to play over and another question—Should I start with 12 hole---or 16? Leaning to 12 since Im learning--- Im still leaning towards- [ 1stchoice- HOHNER 7545 CX-12 BLACK CHROMATIC HARMONICA KEY OF C---[+ or- $200--I just have a hard time with other companies that won’t sell individual reeds, ie Suzuki------[2nd choice-- Suzuki SCX-48 Chromatix Series 12 Hole $155---maybe they don’t sell ind reeds, but they are great harps---[3rd choice—hohner discovery 116 12 hole $116]------------------If I get a practice one for car in the future what about?—[ Swan 12/48 Chromatic Harmonica,Thick Reed Plate,Round Mouthpiece $ 85------------or[ Easttop Chromatic Harmonica ABS Comb 12 Hole 48 Tone C Key Armonica Cromatica Mouth Ogans Instrumentos Chromatic Harmonica 12 $118 brendon power brass comb]---no hurry for any of it ---Thanks for all input----Do any of u own a ‘Swan” or “East top chromatic”? To lazy to re-read yr posts--- you mentioned them---Have u played them?---On the brendon power video for east top-it makes it look pretty good- ??? THANKS
The 16 hole gives you another lower octave. CX-12 and Seydel can be had a "tenor" instruments, you trade the top octave for one on the bottom. Tenors sound nice! Seydel also sells reeds. Or you can split the difference and get an orchestra tuned Seydel chrome, NewHarmonica has them listed . that tuning takes you halfway into the lower octave (G on a C harp) , or a 14 hole CSX .... The orchestra tunings give you a range similar to a violin or trumpet. Lots of choices! I have an Easttop and like it a lot. Very similar to the Suzuki , both have phosphor bronze reeds, and nice rounded mouthpieces. I would be hard pressed to choose between them. Quality on both is excellent. Suzuki has that 14 hole instrument. And you shouldn't need too much reed replacement. They are tough, and Gnarley will fix them under Warranty if they are blown out in the first year. MTG just initiated a few threads about chromatic players, lots of you tubes and links in there.
Have you considered Hohner 270's? Hit EBay, be patient and look for the key you want. Look especially for uncracked combs and clean covers. You might be surprised at how many show up at under thirty dollars. Just a thought.
Last Edited by Georgia Blues on Jan 31, 2016 6:34 PM
For some articles on third-position blues chromatic, go to he list of my HarmonicaSessions articles and scroll down to the one titled: Blues Chromatic, Part 6.1: Blues in D with the Big Chord Approach. That and the next few articles will give you a lot of good information.
