Blues Chromatic

Chromatic harmonicas come in several sizes - 8 holes, 10, 12, 14, and 16.

I'm curious about which sizes people like to play and why.

For instance, the 16-hole is big, but it's got that low octave that sounds so great in third position. But it comes only in C, so the more manageable 12-hole size is used for different keys by players such as William Clarke, Paul deLay and Rod Piazza.

Then there's the 10-hole chromatic. Not a wide range, but compact and also airtight by virtue of its small size. continue reading...

The bending on the chromatic is a 1/4 tone?

thanks
Marko

Hello Winslow,
Dione Ferris's wonderful version of "For Once in My Life" recorded in 1996, features a killer Chromatic Harmonica solo. Do you, or members, know who that masked Chro Player was?

Also, can you provide me with a discography of known Chromatic jazz artists, who are basically "pattern" players (swap harmonicas for key changes, similar to us short harp players)? Brendan Powers mentioned to me that there was a wonderful jazz Chromatic harmonica player who swaps harmonicas to match the song key -- and plays in 1st position, but I did not get the artists's name.

Regards, Kinya

Is anyone playing around with - or at least contemplating - playing blues on chromatic in something other than third position?

The simplest way to do this is to just hold the slide in and play a semitone higher. On a C chromatic this gives you Eb instead of D. Technically theis is tenth position (Eb is ten positions from C around the circle of fifths). But if you press the slide in and never move it out, tenth plays just liek third. (Of course you can put the slide in play, and then everything is different from third). continue reading...

Chromatic Roundup Review Part 1:
Tonica, Saxony & Maret
http://harmonicasessions.com/oct09/Yerxa.html

Chromatic Roundup Review Part 2:
Hohner 270 Deluxe & Hohner CX-12 Jazz
http://harmonicasessions.com/dec09/Yerxa.html

George Harmonica Smith's "Blues in the Dark" (currently available on the Harmonica Ace CD) is the "Juke" of the chromatic world. After you've completed Studies 1 through 4 on bluesharmonica.com you'll have the technique to give it a try! This CD is available at http://www.bluebeatmusic.com/product_info.php?products_id=9004

I'm looking for someone that does chromatic repairs, retunes, etc. Preferably in the UK as that's where I live, although I don't mind if it's in the USA.

I have an old 64 chromonica. I think it's from around 1950's (tortoiseshell patterned box and comb)?. It's in fair condition and in tune, but could do with a good service. If anyone knows of anybody and can give me their contact details it would be highly appreciated.

Thank you David, I have been waiting for the Blues Chromatic Study. Right now I'm studying the Amp Tone Settings lessons. I guess its very much the same for the chromatic harp?

All the best...............Troy

I've thrown away a few chromatics because the wind savers end up popping and sounding like new year's eve noise makers. Is there a secret or certain Chromatic I need to get as a beginner?

I`ve been learning diatonic for 3 1/2 years and would like to start incorporating chromatic into my study and practice time. I just don`t want to make a foolish purchase. Any sugestions on what make/model and key? Thanx to everyone who posts on the forum. Alot of questions and concerns that I`ve had have been answered there. Wish David could have started this 3 1/2 years ago.