Skip to main content
Blues Harmonica logo

User Account

Username:*
Password:*
Forgot Your Password?

Visitor Menu

  • Sign Up
  • Sample Lesson #1
  • Sample Lesson #2
  • Student Recordings
  • Forums
Forums :: Ask Instructor David Barrett

Jazz

3 replies [Last post]
Thu, 12/01/2022 - 11:39
Zata
Zata's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/22/2021

Buenas tardes. Estoy interesado en tocar jazz con la armónica. ¿Puedo hacerlo con las diatónicas o mejor con la cromática? Si es mejor con la cromática ¿mejor la de 10, la de 12 o la de 16 para empezar?

gracias por tu ayuda 

Top
Thu, 12/01/2022 - 13:28
#1
David Barrett
David Barrett's picture
Offline
ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
Hello Zata. You can play

Hello Zata.

You can play jazz with the diatonic harmonica. If you do, after you learn standard bending, you'll learn how to overbend (overblows and overdraws). Follow all of the bending lessons to the end, focusing on blues as your learning base, then you'll want to work with a jazz instructor (of which I'm not), like Howard Levy.

The chromatic harmonica is generally more common for jazz. I would recommend you purchase a 12-hole chromatic. You can use a 10-hole, but you'll eventually prefer to have the range of the 12-hole. Again, I don't teach jazz, so you would want to seek out an instructor for this.

Which instrument you choose to play on is up to you... whichever one you enjoy more (the sound and/or feel). If you don't have a preference, the chromatic harmonica will probably be the smart choice.

Top
Fri, 12/02/2022 - 00:42
#2
Zata
Zata's picture
Offline
Joined: 06/22/2021
Muchas gracias por tu

Muchas gracias por tu respuesta. Mi intención es continuar aprendiendo a tocar blues ( y la armónica, por supuesto) contigo. Lo que he aprendido gracias a tus enseñanzas es lo que me da fuerza para atreverme con el jazz. Como en Malaga, donde vivo, no encuentro grupo de blues con quien tocar música, me he apuntado a una clase de jazz que es casi un grupo (guitarra, saxofón, clarinete y batería) con quienes he comenzado a tocar con la dirección de un profesor, pero quería saber tu opinión sobre la mejor armónica a usar. Un saludo afectuoso 

Top
Fri, 12/02/2022 - 07:44
#3
David Barrett
David Barrett's picture
Offline
ExpertHead InstructorTeacher 10Level 10
Joined: 12/20/2009
That's a great opportunity. I

That's a great opportunity. I personally would use the chromatic harmonica (the notes are available to you without special technique), though if you feel that the diatonic is YOUR instrument, then continue your journey on bending, and then overbending on the diatonic harmonica (expect this to take much longer to achieve acceptable results).

Top

Sign me up!

Full access to all lessons starts at $20/month! (with annual subscription)

Subscribe

Free Sample Lessons

After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at BluesHarmonica.com.

  • Tongue Blocking Study 2 – This study is for the newer player or the player new to tongue blocking
  • Bending Study 5 – This is for the advanced player looking to improve their bending skills

Contributors

  • Aki Kumar
  • Joe Tartaglia
  • Gary Smith
  • Mark Hummel
  • Joe Filisko

Site Links

  • About David Barrett
  • Accredited Instructors
  • Links
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
Hohner
© 2009 - 2025 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.com