Whistler
13 posts
Mar 21, 2013
12:06 PM
|
I’ve played Diatonics for years so I’m familiar with what to expect there but I’m at a loss on deciding on a starter Chromatic, is “C” a good key to start at? I would like to learn some Irish tunes so “G” also looks good but I don’t want bite off more than I can chew, I know this is a broad question with a lot of variables but any input would be appreciated
Thanks
|
Kingley
2423 posts
Mar 21, 2013
12:14 PM
|
Yes "C" is probably the best key to start with . I'd recommend you get a good 12 hole chromatic to begin with.
|
Whistler
14 posts
Mar 21, 2013
12:23 PM
|
Thanks Kingley
|
WinslowYerxa
278 posts
Mar 21, 2013
5:05 PM
|
While C is the default key and is the most straightforward for reading music (and the one LIttle Walter always used), for Irish music you're better off with something else.
First off, the keys used in Irish tend to be keys with sharps in the scale, like G and D and A. These don't play smoothly on a C harmonica; G or D or A work better.
But then there's another wrinkle. Much Irish ornamentation involves moving between the note you're playing and the note a semitone lower. When you play a chromatic with the slide pressed in and then let it out and press it back in it goes down a semitone and then comes back to the main note. This happens quickly and smoothly when you use the slide, but not so much if you have to change breath direction or to a different hole.
For that reason some players play a C# chromatic for D, or and F# chromatic for G. They may also turn it into a "flat slide" chromatic: they flip the slide over so that you get D with the slide out and C# (the note goes down instead of pup in pitch) when you press the slide in.
Where do you get such a beast? Seydel will make you one with their tuning configurator (or you can make one if you're handy at swapping and altering parts on chromatics).
----------
Winslow
|
Gnarly
508 posts
Mar 21, 2013
9:59 PM
|
Winslow is right (as usual) but I still think the best chrom to start with is a C--they are easier to find, and I assume you will want to play music other than Irish, yes?
Also, a D chrom is virtually a Tenor, it is pitched down 10 semitones, and so a 12 hole doesn't play very high!
Brendan Power has a great instructional series on Irish using chromatic, he sells the harps too . . .
http://www.brendan-power.com/
Last Edited by Gnarly on Mar 21, 2013 10:02 PM
|
Whistler
15 posts
Mar 23, 2013
7:44 AM
|
Thank you, Gentlmen for all the input I've opted for the "C" it this time just to get the basics down and become half way proficent on technique using the more straight ahead layout of the Standard C Chrom.
|
Kingley
2436 posts
Mar 23, 2013
8:02 AM
|
I think you've made the right decision. A great resource that's free for chromatic is Harp On
I'd also suggest that if you've never played any chromatic before, it might be a good idea to subscribe to somewhere like www.bluesharmonica.com for a month or two just to get you started. It blues based material, but the techniques that David Barrett teaches there will be invaluable.
Last Edited by Kingley on Mar 23, 2013 8:03 AM
|
Gnarly
513 posts
Mar 23, 2013
9:31 PM
|
Brendan also sells a book for Irish on a C chrom.
He IS the man . . . Of course, so is Winslow.
My captcha is "pb2mal"
|
