What Key Should I Get For My First Chromatic?
What is a good, general use chromatic key? I am thinking of getting one in the key of C, but want to make sure I'm not missing something.
Thanks UKuleleRob65, I do read music, so will start with a C. I will also pose this on Yerxa's pages. I have a 30- 40-year-old Hohner Chrononica in C that I found in a drawer. It doesn't play very smoothly but I'm having fun with it. The wooden comb was cracked and I fixed that, but it's not very responsive. It's okay for a start, but I am thinking of getting a new 12-holer that plays better.
I am just starting out. I purchased the HOHNER 7 Blues Harmonica set. What key should I use to start. Thanks.
The harmonica key used for each lesson is always specified at the beginning of the lesson and in the written lesson description as well. It starts with the key of A. You're going to be using this one for quite a while. Enjoy !
Ed:
If you've picked up a set with G, A, Bb, C, D, E and F, you're good to go with nearly allof the lessons. Some time into the studies, you'll also want to pick up a Low F, and possibly an Ab. But that's well in the future.
Not clear from your post which Hohner model is your set. If it's the Blues Harp, you're in great shape. But if it's the Chinese-made Blues Band, while it's a fine starter, once you get going into the lessons you may find that there are some limitations, and (one harp at a time) you'll probably want to pick up one of Hohner's German-made models. As you'll see in David's various interviews, Hohner users are all over the map, with many swearing by the Marine Band, Marine Band Deluxe, Crossover, and other higher-priced models. But Mark Ford loves the Special 20, which is a real workhorse model one can't go wrong with.
Enjoy!
For the most comprehensive response, pose this question on Winslow Yerxa's "Ask Harmonica Expert ..." part of the forum.
But in the meantime, the tradition is to primarily use a C chromatic. In fact, many models are made only in C. And most of the great jazz players play 12 different keys on the C chromatic.
If you already read music, particularly if you play piano, reading charts using a C chromatic will come naturally, And nearly all teachers use the C as their basic teaching instrument.
All five of David's chromatic lessons here use the C in third position, i.e., blues in D or Dm. But he also interviews some players (e.g., Mark Hummel) who play C chromatic in various keys, i.e., various positions. Keys other than D all have their own distinct voices on a C chromatic.
I started with a C, but have a Bb and an F as well. But at a jam, once you've learned the most common blues keys, the C may be all you need. E.g., key of A in 4th position, E in fifth position,
Get a chromatic ... and report back! We'll want to hear how much fun you're having.