Re: [Harp-L] Chromatic



----- Original Message ----- From: "Bruce" <lrgrainger@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2004 6:22 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Chromatic



I am confused about the Chromatic VS Diatonic issue. If you purchase one Chromatic can you play the same songs and keys as if you purchased all the diatonic Harps? I am having a hard time grasping this issue .

You can play any song in any key on one chromatic...but there is a hitch. The hole/blow/draw/slide pattern for a given song is different in every key. IF you are accustomed to playing a set of diatonics, this will be a probl;em for you, especially at first. In this respect, the chromatic is like most other instruments, e.g. piano, flute or guitar.


The chromatic is thus easier for those who read music and are accustomed to paying attention to key signatures. An advantage of the chromatic is that there are no "missing" notes like the fa and la in the low octave of a diatonic that can only be played by bending.

Due to air leakage in the slide, chromatics are less airtight and seem less responsive than diatonics. Chromatics do not have the dominant draw chord that Richter tuning provides on the diatonic.

When you select different diatonic harps to play in different keys, the hole/blow/draw pattern of a given song remains the same in all keys. This is much easier for "by-ear" musicians who play what they have heard instead of what they have read.

If you have chromatics in every key, selecting the harp makes the hole/blow/draw/slide pattern the same for the same song and takes care of the sharps and flats in the key signature. This system, though expensive, is much easier for "by ear" players. In this case, you only use the slide for accidental sharps and flats.

Vern
Visit my harmonica website: www.hands-free-chromatic.7p.com







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