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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
12 hole chromatic question
12 hole chromatic question
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Popculture Chameleon
200 posts
Apr 26, 2017
10:46 AM
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does anyone know why 12 hole chromatics come in several different keys while chromatics with more reeds like the 56 and 64 only tend to come i the key of c?
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Diggsblues
2100 posts
Apr 26, 2017
11:17 AM
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Wow they used to make them in other keys I have a friend that has a 64 in Bb 'cause he played some stuff in 3rd position.
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WinslowYerxa
1304 posts
Apr 26, 2017
4:26 PM
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Hohner used to sell a lot more 12-hole chromatics than 14 or 16-holers.
At one time, the received wisdom, reflected in some books, was that you played a chromatic harmonica in its home key (C, or Bb or whatever), and used the slide-in notes only for the occasional chromatic note that came up in the song.
That kind of thinking would naturally lead to having chromatics in many keys. Also, to this day many amateur players learn to play only in first position, and just switch to a different key of chromatic to play in different keys. Blues players do the same thing in third position.
When the 16-hole chromatic was introduced, it had the word PROFESSIONAL stamped on the cover, with the idea, apparently, that a true professional could play it in any key as it was, in fact, a chromatic instrument. And it was offered only in C.
In rare cases, both Hohner and Hering have made 16-hole Bb chromatics. I've seen maybe three of them over 30-some-odd years. But they're the exception. There have also been custom-made 16-holers in A, like the one that Frank Huang made for Norton Buffalo. I've made 16-holers in B for my own use, as has Robert Bonfiglio.
By the way, most high-end chromatics of any size (12, 14, 16 holes) come only in C Hohner Amadeus, MeisterKlasse, and Silver Concerto; Suzuki Sirius and Fabulous; Seydel Saxony and Symphony. Again, the idea is that anyone spending that kind of money has done the work of learning to play the instrument in all keys.
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Winslow
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Last Edited by WinslowYerxa on Apr 26, 2017 4:32 PM
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Gorfalamu
8 posts
May 02, 2017
10:55 AM
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I use five keyed chromatics in my kit: A, C, D, G and F. As Winslow pointed out, position players like myself will simply switch keys to suit the tune. Those five harmonicas give me easy access to 10 or more different keys and add a totally different voice to the mix. Whether playing lead or rhythm accompaniment, the chromatic's unique voice and capabilities offer whole new sounds in our band mix.
I don't subscribe to purist theory that all things can be played on a C chromatic; blow/draw patterns and chords are different for each key and those differences are invaluable, at least to me.
It is my fervent hope and desire that keyed chromatics remain available and affordable and that all harmonica players find their way beyond C and Dm on chromatic playing. It's worth it, IMHO.
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Frank101
223 posts
May 02, 2017
3:07 PM
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64s are a lot more expensive, for them to make and for you to buy.
That's why.
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