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Dirty-South Blues Harp forum: wail on! >
Dimi diatonic Harmonica as Alto Sax
Dimi diatonic Harmonica as Alto Sax
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Goomerko
1 post
Mar 15, 2019
9:16 AM
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Hi all. I just want to share with you a little big music adventure with our little big instrument.
I'm a former alto sax jazz player. One year ago I had a Guillain Barre Syndrome that completely stops my body (I could move only my head). In this situation my music brain made me interested in the diatonic harmonica. I always was curious about this instrument, and this situation was the trigger to start learning it.
I started with a set of three blues harps in A, C and D, and enjoyed studing blues licks and technique, but missed my old jazz study routine. I bought a chromatic harmonica (the one jazz players use), but I could not use the slide properly. My quest to find a sax alternative was in a hole.
Time passed and I discovered alternate tunings for our lovely diatonic, so I decided to retune my C harp to diminished tuning, been able to gain all notes using only blows, draws and bends. It was a mind blowing when I discovered that I was creating a Eb dimi harp, same tuning that my darling sax is!
With this modification I had an instrument that was similar in note range that my sax (well, one octave higher), but with 3 notes less. The sax note range (tuned in Eb) is from Bb3 to F#6, and the range for the dimi diatonic (tuned in Eb too) is from C4 to F6. Only three notes left!. I was happy, but I wanted this missed notes!
One thing I could do is to buy a 12 hole harp, but the size doesn't fit well in my hands, so I read all kind of information in internet about customizing techniques and a great solution to complete the note range arose in my mind:
- Use a valve to gain two more low notes, doing blow bends in the first hole, so now I have a B and a Bb below the C.
- Use overblow in the 10 hole to add the missed F# note.
So the final note layout is the one in the image:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/thks8u4fe6byha1/Screenshot%202019-03-15%2017.15.59.jpg?dl=0
During the whole process I recovered some movement in my legs and arms, learned a lot about harmonica, and now I carry a "pocket sax", been able to study the same jazz patterns, transcription, ear training exercises. I can say the harmonica helps me to be as always, reconnecting with my past, and win the Guillain Barre battle, all in one!.
Cheers.
Last Edited by Goomerko on Mar 15, 2019 12:28 PM
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jbone
2859 posts
Mar 15, 2019
8:01 PM
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Goomerko,
Welcome to this cool place. You are far past me experience wise. Your story is very inspiring. I know there are players here who can relate to the music side of your experience and hopefully they will chime in.
I can't imagine having that condition, Guillian Barre, and finding a way to prevail anyway.
Hats off to you!
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Music and travel destroy prejudice.
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scojo
625 posts
Mar 15, 2019
8:28 PM
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Amazing and inspiring!
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WinslowYerxa
1636 posts
Mar 15, 2019
9:06 PM
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You can also get three-octave chromatic harmonicas without a slide and in diminished tuning.
The hands-free chromatic changes to the alternate reed bank by raising and lowering the mouthpiece with your lips instead of pressing a slide button. Cynthia Dusel-Bacon, who has no forearms, uses one, as does jazz guitarist-harmonica player (he plays them simultaneously) Enrico Granafei.
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Winslow
Harmonica lessons with one of the world's foremost experts
Check out my blog and other goodies at winslowyerxa.com
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Goomerko
2 posts
Mar 17, 2019
1:27 AM
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Thanks for the replies. Winslow, I didn’t know about this kind of chromatic. I’ll put an eye on it.
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