I didn´t expect that from you Chris, since you are one of the most proficient overblowers out there. I agree with you, but one can´t deny there are very good jazz players with harmonica. I think of Levy and Sebastien Charlier on diatonic of course, and chromatic I really like what Toot thielmans does, also Antonio Serrano it´s a good exponent.
But, if you really want to play jazz on harp, I think going for the chromatic in the first place is a better choice, getting full control of those overblows and overdaws, essential for jazz, take years in the diatonic. Learn the theory with the chromatic, then if you love diatonic, traspose your knowledge.
However take in account that in musical terms, as Chris says, I guess, that jazz in the harp works better as a "wow" act -I talk about surprise factor- than an instrument that can compete with a good sax player. He will always have the advantage of using his two hands. We only have one mouth!!
---------- With some latin flavour for you, chico!! :P
Last Edited by on Aug 03, 2010 11:41 AM
Yes but the question is not what instrument is best for jazz but which harmonica type is. And why would you tell me to stay away from harmonica since you yourself play jazz harmonica
If what you told me is what you think is correct why would you try playing jazz on diatonic and not just stick with your piano?
learning jazz on the harp is huge pain in the ass. It's way more work then I could have ever imagined.
Think about it, there are three octaves on the harp and single note, a single scale, singe arpeggio is played in three different ways. That's already three times the work, not to mention the intonation, resonance, fighting to prove the harp is a real instruments are all factors to consider.
With the piano, guitar, sax etc... learn it one way and you're done.
I'm not saying it can't be done because it obviously can but it's a lot of &*&*&*& working and if you can't get your jazz chops to a top notch level then you are only hurting the instrument. If you want to play jazz, you HAVE to be a better musician than most other jazzers otherwise you simply will not get respect. It's a very hard road and most that walk down that path never make it to the end.
Yes we have chords, but we don´t have as many available compared with a guitar, an accordion, or a Piano (for blues playin we have the chords we need but not for jazz playing, at least not with a single harmonica)
yess Ryan, to pop them out don´t take years, I learned to "pop" the 6 overblow in my first year of learning, and I use it here and then, but I´m talking about using them with profiency, that´s why many people don´t think that overblows sounds natural and dislike them, because very few players can make them sound correctly, and for that you need a really good harp, and a really good technique.
But I agree with you completely, "jazz is a very wide term", as much as "rock" or "classical" is.
---------- With some latin flavour for you, chico!! :P
the real answer is, if you have to ask then it's not for you. It doesn't matter, if its in you and you want to play jazz then anything will work. BUT if you picking any harmonica to play jazz then it's a long hard road and not one that I recommend. Are you ready to fight for yourself and your instrument at every corner? Are you ok with the constant disrespect you will get from other musicians not to mention harmonica players?
Just look at all the bullshit I get on this list because I choose to play more jazz than blues?
Are you ready for that? really? I can tell already that you are not a big enough asshole to handle it.
---------- "All is bliss"
Last Edited by on Aug 03, 2010 12:42 PM
If you want a harmonica for jazz, get a chrom, save yourself from the headache of positions, overblows, and never-ending quest for tone. Not to mention the fact that you'll be proving each time that you're playing an intstrument, not a toy. And it's harder to grasp and to dig as a listener too. Just too much complicated.
Ryan, Overblows and and blow bends are two totally different techniques. Two types of bends on a diatonic..blow bends and draw bends. Two types of overbends.... overdraws and overblows.
Oh I know, you're missing my point I was trying to make which was a note is a note & they aren't any harder then hitting blow bends once you get the hang of them. I use them daily when playing classical music on diatonic.
---------- ~Ryan
"I play the harmonica. The only way I can play is if I get my car going really fast, and stick it out the window." - Stephen Wright
Pennsylvania - H.A.R.P. (Harmonica Association 'Round Philly)
If you want to play jazz just from a hobbyist/practitioners point of view, and not as a pro - pick the diatonic. It will keep giving you challenges after another until you're dead. :)
The question is are willing to do the work no matter what instrument.You have to learn more than just playing the instrument. It's not just yeah man just blow it doesn't matter what notes you play it's jazz. I think in a lot of ways your a player and a composer in the same moment. My path consisted of a lot of chromatic practice and a lot of theory and harmony. I studied classical and jazz theory and harmony. I still feel I have a long way to go. I think of myself more as an improvisational player. Jazz studies will open you open to a lot of possibilities. Find a jazz teacher if you want to play jazz. It will most likely not be harmonica player since they are few and far between a far as jazz. My teachers always had some command of the keyboard.
This is over 20 years old
This is a real jazz player my friend Jimmy Bruno.
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How you doin'
Last Edited by on Aug 04, 2010 1:43 AM
One important advance that harmonica has over many other instruments, is it's bending capabilities. You have access to microtonalities that you wouldn't get with piano for example. (Of course e.g. slide-guitar would get you there too.) This concerns diatonic harp more than chromatics, but of course you can half-valve the chromatics too and make them a bit more versatile.
