[Harp-L] Bluesette on Chromatic?

[JOSEPH LEONE]

> On October 31, 2019 at 10:51 AM 46long Blake <46long at xxxxx> wrote:
> 
>     Hey, Joe - that's a thought, although my pride wants me to do it "properly."
> 
Absolutely. :) . And Slim and Michael are 100% correct. So? It all comes down to whether you are a 'side man', a 'soloist', or a 'road dog'. 
When it comes to jazz, the horns have an advantage in that a lot of tunes are predicated off of Bb. So a Bb horn is actually IN C when they are playing terminal key of Bb. Then Eb is the SECOND easiest for them. They just need to 'finger' in F. 

But for a chromo that is home keyed in C, this is a bit trickier. And I don't know whom decided to home key harmonicas in C, but I think it went along with the musics of the day. Namely folk.  

With this in mind a soloist, who can pick and choose can play anything they want to. But a side man HAS to be able to play ANYthing. Especially when doing accompaniments with other instruments. (Like Jerome Perelevedes). OR especially when accompanying singers.

Most bands will be familiar with tunes in certain keys. Like Bluesette is almost always IN Bb. Of course the more accomplished the musicians, some forays into other keys are possible. 

Saul Good Man, Sawl I'm sayne.
smo-joe (oh, btw, a road dog? That's me. Chromo., Diat., Tenor, Trumpet, Clarinet.)

>     I don't like to cut musical corners. Then again, he's always saying that he can play songs in whatever key I want, Maybe I'll take him up on it. ;) Just for starters. 
> 
Ha ha, see above. I think Bb is the best way to go. On THIS tune. 

>     On Thu, Oct 31, 2019 at 10:47 AM JOSEPH LEONE < 3n037 at xxxxx mailto:3n037 at xxxxx > wrote:
> 
>         > > Since your son is an accomplished guitarist, he would have no trouble playing it in C. The tune is easy in C on a C chromo.
> > 
> >         Toots used a C chromo and played it in Bb. But that's because it's what HE chose. It's his tune. When he played it on guitar he used G.
> > 
> >         Why he chose Bb for chromo is up for conjecture. But he WAS known for working on a tune in various keys to see which one he 'liked' best.
> > 
> >         You have (basically) two choices. Play what's easiest for YOU. Or adhere to the more difficult key if wanting to be a purist. :). When doing this tune on a duet with Randy Singer I played it in F on an F chromo.
> > 
> >         smo-joe   
> > 
> >         > On October 31, 2019 at 9:18 AM 46long Blake < 46long at xxxxx mailto:46long at xxxxx > wrote:
> >         >
> >         >
> >         > I've played diatonic for over 30 years. I can play 3rd pos. blues on a
> >         > chromatic decently. However, my teenage son is already an accomplished jazz
> >         > guitarist. Sometimes he even lets me sit in with him on diatonic-friendly
> >         > standards such as "Summertime" and "Sandu." However, now he wants me to
> >         > learn "Bluesette" on chromatic so we can jam together on a song we both
> >         > really love. I realize how precious this invitation is, and I want to honor
> >         > it. But OH MY GOD IT IS HARD! I spent a whole evening with him patiently
> >         > helping me work out the A section. The next day, I'd mostly forgotten how
> >         > to do it and had to re-learn.
> >         >
> >         > Here's my question. The song is in B flat. I'm using a standard vintage 16
> >         > hole Hohner chromatic in C. Might it be easier on a different keyed
> >         > chromatic? Anyone know what key Toots uses? (I'm afraid to openly admit
> >         > this in a harp forum, but here goes.....) Are there, in fact, other "keyed"
> >         > chromatic harps?
> >         >
> >         > OK. I've made the mistake of being vulnerable in front of a bunch of harp
> >         > players. Have at me.
> >         >
> >         >  - Blake
> >         >
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> >     > 
> 
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