So what's the deal with bending chromatics? Do some bend easier than others, is it the same as bending diatonics and will it kill the reeds or anything?
if you watch this clip (do yourself a favour) make sure you check the killer solo at 3:20
---------- Lucky Lester
Last Edited by didjcripey on Feb 03, 2015 8:11 PM
Won't kill the reeds if you do it right - using persuasion rather than brute force.
Airtightness is a big factor - more is better. So is reed adjustment. Some models have a stronger reputation for bending, notably the Hohner CX-12. However, I've noticed as big a difference among individual copies of the same model as between different models.
All valved reed on a chromatic will bend down at least a semitone, maybe more depending on reed adjustment (higher gapping facilitates wider bends). A skilled player may get three or more semitones out of some reeds.
Here's an example of the first phrase of Cherry Blossom Pink (And Apple Blossom White), with a three-semitone bend (Emulating the full-octave trumpet bend on the Perez Prado original):
(I forget now why I demonstrated this on two different chromatics).
The technique for bending on a chromatic is the same as on a diatonic - IF you do it right - but requires a lighter touch, as the reed will refuse to speak if you hit it hard. And because the bend isn't supported by a second reed like on a diatonic, bends are both less full sounding and harder to sustain, though it can be done if you work up the technique. =========== Winslow
Winslow has it EXACTLY RIGHT hen it comes to bending on a chromatic and the average player, ESPECIALLY those who have been teaching themselves, when they do it on a diatonic harmonica, use brute force, AKA heavily increased breath force AKA WAY ROO MUCH DAMNED BREATH FORCE) to do it and because of their frustration early in the learning curve, you can absolutely COUNT on them to do it like that, kinda like what the stereotypical Mafioso wise guy approach where it's like, in this case, can be said this way, "bend or I'll break both your goddamned legs and arms off" approached, which I also refer to as the D.A.M. method (meaning dumb ass macho) and with a chromatic, the minute you do it, the note will automatically choke up and blank out on you in a nanosecond. On top of that, you have absolutely ZERO control about ANYTHING when it comes to your playing technique and so that kind of approach too many players tend to use is nothing but straight up bad playing technique. ---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
Thanks for the wisdom fellers. i suspect that my new interest in the chromatic will help my diatonic playing. Trying again with a very gentle attack I can bend a few notes, though it seems to be more useful for intonation than holding notes; that would be what the slider is for anyway I guess. ---------- Lucky Lester
Winslow's examples are along the lines of Jerry Murad's Harmonicats version of Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White. Even on Junior Wells' In The Wee Wee Hours on the Hoodoo Man Blues on the Delmark label, he's also playing a bend on a chromatic EXACTLY the way Winslow describes it to a T, and tho many think Junior played really hard, the truth was that he RARELY ever played hard, period.
First, here's Jerry Murad's version of Cherry Pink And Apple Blossom White:
Here's Junior Wells doing In The Wee Wee Hours:
---------- Sincerely, Barbeque Bob Maglinte Boston, MA http://www.barbequebob.com CD available at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/bbmaglinte
