Blues Chromatic

Hi,

Currently, I have  CX-12 and love the simplicity of basic disassembly for cleaning and valves. However, tuning is a major pain because, as far as I can see, you have to put it all the way back together, to test your adjustment. That aside, I'm thinking of getting a 16 hole one, for the extra low notes, if nothing else. I'm thinking of sticking with a key of C for now. As a little aside, I'm also following Filip Jers on Patreon to learn some jazz stuff.

So, can anyone advise on which make/model I should go for?

Thanks,

Graham

Hi,

Having previously gone through David's 5 lessons and his Swingin With George artist piece, I'm wondering where to go next to continue my learning journey of blues on this instrument. Anyone got any ideas or advice?

Thanks,

Graham

I have a trochilus 10 hole blues tuned harmonica with a slide.

The slide changes the note a semitone . Can I use this to do the exercises on the chromatic harmonica study ?

Thanks

Fred

I have a trochilus 10 hole blues tuned harmonica with a slide.

The slide changes the note a semitone . Can I use this to do the exercises on the chromatic harmonica study ?

Thanks

Fred

I've been playing solo-tuned 12-hole chromatics for about two years but want to try something with more range. I believe 14-hole chromatics only come in Orchestra tuning and 16 may only come solo tuned.

My question: Is it difficult to switch between orchestra and solo tuning? Can you become adept at both?

When you take a C chromatic and play it using the big D minor draw chord as your home chord, you're in third position - playing in D on a C chromatic.

When you play that same chromatic in Eb, some players argue that you're still playing in third, just "with the button in." If you point out on the circle of fifths that Eb on a C is not 3rd, but 10th position, they may reply with something like "Yeah, but a chromatic is just two harps, a C and a C#, so you're just switching to the C# harp and playing *that* one in 3rd. continue reading...

Winslow (or anyone else who wants to chime in):

In another thread here a Member asked about the Hohner Xpression, and how it compares to the 270 Deluxe. Have you played an Xpression yet? And if so, any thoughts?

The Xpression certainly looks cool, and while I don't know whether or not endorser/box coverboy Yvonnick Prené actually plays one on stage (he uses a variety of high-end chromatics), he also doesn't seem to me to be the kind of person who would promote something unless he thought it was pretty good.

Thanks!

I want to start playing a chromatic. Based on David's advice on the website, I ordered a Hohner Chromonica 270 Deluxe C. However, my order was canceled: apparently they ran out of stock and will not be getting new ones, because they are now stocking the new model Hohner Xpression 48 C. Does anyone have experience with it? Is it an improvement compared to the Hohner Chromonica 270 Deluxe, or should I try to find one of the older models with different shops? Thanks in advance!

Diatonic players sometimes wonder why chromatics have those pesky plastic strips called windsaver valves mounted over the reed slots. (Sometimes chromatic players do, too!)

As the name implies, they save wind, sending all the air to the reed you're playing. But they also affect tone and bendability.

Recently I posted a video on my YouTube Channel exploring the subject of valves on both chromatics and diatonics- fully valved, half-vavles, and unvalved. You can view it at: continue reading...

Well, I'm in trouble now. A musician friend is putting together a band for a Salute to Stevie Wonder show, and has asked if I'd be interested in playing chromatic. I'm OK with blues in D of course, and even other keys, but Stevie Wonder's stuff could be a challenge, even if I'm just doing an "impression" of it. Do any of you know of any sources (books, websites, etc.) with charts or transcriptions of what he plays on some of his biggest hits? Thanks!