mr_so&so
1108 posts
Jun 15, 2024
8:07 AM
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I've been listening more than playing recently. But chromatic blues is rekindling my desire to play again. I'm still learning the chromatic and like valveless ones for ease of maintenance. I recently bought a 12-hole Easttop Forerunner 2.0 valveless chrom in G. This model is manufactured in all 12 keys. My strategy for playing blues on the chrom will be by "position" playing, by focusing on proficiency in only a few positions e.g. first, 2nd, 3rd and 4th. Having all the keys available makes playing in all keys even easier.
So, how do you guys approach blues on chromatic?
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"Just a white boy lost in the blues"
(From Sonny and Brownie 1973)
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mr_so&so
1109 posts
Jun 19, 2024
6:25 AM
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Just an update on the Easttop Forerunner 2.0 valveless 12-hole chromatic. It plays very well and is pretty airtight. The slide is quiet. It's not quite as loud as a valved chromatic, but to me the convenience of being able to just pick it up and play without warming it up is well worth it.
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"Just a white boy lost in the blues"
(From Sonny and Brownie 1973)
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dougharps
2359 posts
Jun 21, 2024
6:40 AM
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I use positions as well, usually 1st, 3rd, and 4th with occasional 2nd. I had messed around with chromatic from age 11 to 20 and when I started diatonic blues playing 2nd position at first I stopped chromatic in 2nd.
Years later, when invited to play in a jazz group, I started buying and playing keyed chromatics with gig money for lack of skill in some song's keys.
In that jazz group one thing I learned to do is to learn to play with the button in, releasing and shifting up one hole to build on patterns I learned with the button out. It easily added more keys I could play.
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Doug S.
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mr_so&so
1110 posts
Jun 28, 2024
6:45 AM
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Thanks Doug, for your comments. I was hoping you would provide your perspective. Your tip about button-in playing is interesting. I'll need to try it to really understand what you mean.
For others who are curious about trying blues chromatic, I recommend an article on Pat Missin's site for historical perspective and suggestions for exploration: https://www.patmissin.com/articles/misc1.html
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"Just a white boy lost in the blues"
(From Sonny and Brownie 1973)
Last Edited by mr_so&so on Jun 28, 2024 6:54 AM
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hot4blues
123 posts
May 10, 2025
6:23 AM
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In my opinion, the best chromatic for Blues (I've got a ton of chromatics by all the brands) is the original Hohner Chromonica 270. To me, it's the chromatic version of the beloved Marine Band.
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Gnarly
Alternatetuning
3193 posts
May 10, 2025
4:45 PM
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A lot of folks are liking the Bushman Game Changer (available at Rockin' Ron's), get the yellow one, it's solo tuned.
Disclaimer, I am not an employee of RR and in fact, haven't even tried this new harp (it's a JDR Trochilus), but the word on the street is it's dope.
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dougharps
2373 posts
May 11, 2025
7:16 AM
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If you are a diatonic player with little or no solo tuned chromatic harmonica experience I think the Richter tuned Trochilus would be a good way to add some chromaticism without learning the solo tuning layout.
The Richter Trochilus is loud, bends easily, and even overblows as well as any out of the box diatonic I have played. The button allows you to play chromatically without mastering more difficult overbend techniques.
If you want to learn solo tuned chromatic you can buy a solo tuned valveless EastTop Forerunner 2.0 for less than the solo tuned Trochilus. The Forerunner 2.0 is a 12 hole 3 octave instrument available in different keys. The solo tuned Trochilus is a 10 hole chromatic.
I learned the chromatic solo tuned pattern before Richter diatonic. I find that the Richter Trochilus is a good instrument, but I already have muscle memory for solo tuned chromatic and Richter diatonic. Having the button on a Richter Trochilus harp confuses me at the bottom and top octaves.
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Doug S.
Last Edited by dougharps on May 11, 2025 7:17 AM
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Gnarly
Alternatetuning
3194 posts
May 11, 2025
9:43 AM
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I will be unable to resist acquiring the Trochilus when it becomes available in C Orchestra. Holding out until then.
Randy Weinstein has some interesting videos concerning blues on chromatic.
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shakeylee
774 posts
May 11, 2025
5:46 PM
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Gnarly, it comes in pop /C6 and I think if I remember correctly, you like that
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www.shakeylee.com
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Gnarly
Alternatetuning
3195 posts
May 12, 2025
12:06 AM
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After much experimentation (and I’m not done yet!), I have acquired a few tunings I feel are worth investing my time in. Neither of those “ring my chimes”.
I AM, however, re-exploring LeGato, the slide version of the FourKey.
It’s great to be able to craft your own tunings. I could even retune a Yellow Trochilus in G, but I have enough harps to keep me busy right now.
JDR will probably offer an Orchestra soon enough.
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