Blues Chromatic

Quick question for those of you who have chromatics in two or more keys: Assuming a C was your first, what was your sexond?

I thought of this during yesterday's Dennis Gruenling Zoom Q&A that focused on the the music of William Clarke. One of the pieces that Dennis analyzed was in C in third position, i.e., on a Bb chromatic. Dennis talked about how when he first heard the song and tried to figure it out on his C chromatic, and couldn't figure out how Clarke was getting those sounds. And then the light went on. He wasn't playing a C, he was playing a Bb. continue reading...

Huhus,

My Chromonika III 280 C arrived. It is marked with a 870 on one of the cover plates. If my research (with very little results) is correct, that means it was tuned to chamber pitch A=435Hz and made in the 1930's.That is pure speculation tho, my harmonica (history) knowledge is close to non existent.

The optical condition seems to be quite nice, even the leather valves look almost like new and it is almost playable. The comb has a crack/split around hole 6 tho that would need to be repaired first. continue reading...

After a few days of deep dive research on which model to get i settled for a Seydel Saxony*.

What makes me a greater headache is deciding, which tuning to get: solo (standard) tuning or orchestra tuning (2 extra holes on the bottom, two missing ones on the top end). Atm i gravitate more towards the orchestra tuning (as i think i would miss the few lower notes more than the top most s̶q̶u̶e̶e̶k̶s̶ notes, but i am a very beginner and not sure).

For me 16 or 14 holes are no option for several reasons (and i think i do not want a tenor). continue reading...

Who has a lead on a reliable tech who can spruce up my Super 64x?  I am in Vermont, USA.  Thanks!

About a year ago, I used a web page online that allowed you to type in chromatic tab and then convert the tab up or down by any amount of semi tones.  It was very cool but I can't find it anymore.  Anybody have a link for that web page or app? 

Best chromatic blues harmonica player, living or not: Little Walter? Rod Piazza? Dennis Gruenling? George "Harmonica" Smith?

I'll start it off with my favorite. Recognizing the way Little Walter and George Harmonica Smith started it all, I'm going with Rod. Maybe because I've experienced him - and his amazing showmanship - in person, a number of times in a number of different settings. Maybe because to my mind, no one is as cool as Rod (tho' with his leopard-print sportscoats Dennis gives him a run for his money).

Have at it.

Anyone here play a Seydel Sampler? I picked up a G-D Sampler some years ago for use in the pit band for a cabaret show that had a St. Patrick's Day theme. (It's a pretty irreverent troupe, so the show focused on both Irish music ... and a lot of booze jokes.) As some of you probably know, the Irish music folks like the keys of G and D major, 'cause both keys are less work for the fiddle players. continue reading...

Hi!

I plan to play chromatic and initially I would have gone for the regular CX-12, however I have heard lots of complaints about the size of the "face".

Is is really such an issue?

The Jazz version would resolve the size problem but costs 1.5x of the price of the regular one and considering that the only difference is the shape of the shell I am wondering whether it is worth the price.

Thanks for your advice/experience in advance!

Hi all,

I recently started playing an old Chromonica 10 hole that Wilson Music in Nemarket ON rebuilt for me. It sounds awesome! Coming from an 'almost intermediate" level on diatonic, I am loving it. Third positionis very intuitive. However ALL THOSE DRAW NOTES!. There's definitely a learning curve to getting your breath to last. Even on "no sweat" (the level one chromatic practice song) you really have to pay attention. plus you dont have the option of using 3 blow intead of 2 draw to dump some air. I also find tht you need more air on the Chromatic than the diatonic. continue reading...

I Love the Seydel Saxony, which

I inherited mine from a friend

as far as action / response, Tone, Slide goes.I Really prefer the Seydel

to the Hohner

(*gasp* *choke* HERESY)

However the Octaves on the Saxony are noticibly out of tune.

They are much closer with my Hohner 270 super Deluxe

I spent about a week transfering my octave embouchure to the very slightly larger Seydel spacing,

so I'm positive it's not my embouchure.

My Questions are : continue reading...