9000
187 posts
Dec 17, 2013
6:18 AM
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I've been reading some past threads about positions on chromatic harp for blues with interest. I've only been using 3rd and 2nd up to now. What are your opinions about the most useful positions and keys of chromatic to have on hand for blues players? Obviously, chromes are expensive enough that most have to set some sort of priorities.
Thanks,
Jay
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Music speaks where words fail.
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tmf714
2268 posts
Dec 17, 2013
6:22 AM
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C chromatic- D in third postion
G chromatic- A in third position and Bb tenth position
Bb chromatic- C in third position
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Gnarly
827 posts
Dec 17, 2013
8:28 AM
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I like my C chroms to start on G3, so second position is very cool--and I bebop them, so Bb is good too.
I don't especially care for the key of C on a C chrom, and although I like F (and Dm), I don't do that 3rd position thing that most blues players do.
I like to also have a D bebop starting on A3, so that sharp keys are easier.
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MP
3009 posts
Dec 17, 2013
9:59 AM
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Gnarly,
Question-
So, in essence, a bebop tuned harp will help an OK Chromatic player sound more accomplished than he actually is? Like he knows his way around Bird and Diz land?
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i still have a little Hohner stock for reed replacement in three common keys.
when these are gone i'm out of the biz.
click MP for my e-mail address and more info.
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Michael Rubin
842 posts
Dec 17, 2013
10:18 AM
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MP, I've worked with lots of students who own bebop chromes. In my opinion, they take the same amount of time to develop style.
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dougharps
493 posts
Dec 17, 2013
10:35 AM
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I use keyed chromatics as well as diatonics for blues and other genres. Gradually over the years I have accumulated 8 keys of 12 hole chromatics, Eb to E by Circle of Fifths. I also have a 16 hole Hering. For just playing blues this many chromatics is overkill for sure!
I would say that the two chromatics I most use are C and D. D is handy in that you can relatively easily play soul songs in B as well as third position blues in E. With those 2 harps and the button you can easily cover most sharp keys as well as many popular flat keys. If you play with horns a lot, a Bb chromatic may be a good choice.
I tend to favor 1st, 3rd, and 4th positions, and their related keys when you push in the button. I use the button a lot, though mainly for embellishments. I need to revisit 2nd position on chromatic since I stopped using 2nd on chromatic when I first learned diatonic and I have not worked at resuming using it. I play octaves a lot, which is easier on chromatic since the octave notes are always the same distance apart.
In the late '90s I got thrown into playing in a small jazz band and they played songs in what to me were odd keys. Hering chromatics and replacement plates used to be cheap, so I slowly invested gig money. This gave me the ability to play material way beyond my ability on just a C chromatic.
Now having all those chromatics gives me a lot of flexibility as to what chromatic harp and position I choose for playing any given song in any genre. As I said, the chromatics were accumulated over the years using gig money, and were bought at a time when they were less of an investment. Using keyed chromatics is a shortcut to sounding accomplished in many keys, but has the potential of causing your playing to stagnate as you stick with familiar positions... :>)
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NOTE:
"Real" chromatic players play a C chromatic in many more keys than I can, and they don't speak of "positions." They just play in different keys. Diggs is one good example of a skilled chromatic player who plays blues and also has approached chromatic as an instrument that can play in all keys.
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Doug S.
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Gnarly
828 posts
Dec 17, 2013
1:02 PM
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@MP Bebop tuning changes one of the two C notes which are next to each other on the chrom.
I got hipped to this by Bill Barrett, that's what he uses.
Chromatics are tuned like holes 4-7 on the diatonic. That puts the first and last tonic notes next to each other--blow draw blow draw blow draw draw blow.
So by changing the "top" C to a Bb you accomplish two things:
1. No change in breath direction.
2. A "given" Bb.
So it is easier to play in the flat keys, as well as the extremely sharp keys; Bb needs only one button push, and you can play in F# simply by holding the button in.
If you don't tune to bebop, you have three C notes all next to each other; 4 draw button, 4 blow and 5 blow.
I have never regretted going with this tuning, even when I accidentally play a Bb in the middle of Moon River LOL
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STME58
616 posts
Dec 17, 2013
5:13 PM
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I am trying to learn the chromatic on a C Toyama 24 hole I picked up. It is in tune and the slide works well. I have seen comments about 12 vs 16 hole but have not heard 24 hole mentioned. I picked it up new in China for the equivalent of $8 so I don't expect much out of it.
Has anyone heard of Toyama or 24 hole chromatic harps.
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9000
188 posts
Dec 17, 2013
9:37 PM
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Anyone using half-valved chromes for blues?
Jay
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Music speaks where words fail.
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STME58
617 posts
Dec 17, 2013
10:03 PM
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On closer inspection I see my "24 hole"Toyama is really a 12. It looks like 24 but the alternate blow and draw. I was wondering why it was so easy to get a single hole when the spacing between them was so tight!
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