MindTheGap
1059 posts
Jan 29, 2016
12:29 AM
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Just revisiting this while it's fresh in my mind.
At a rehearsal last night, after practising some old and new songs with diatonic as usual, I played chromatic on one. I immediately thought, 'good grief, this just sounds better'. That was the gut response (worth listening to right?) and when I thought about it after...
1. On the chromatic, I was playing a bona fide tune and (simple) variations, whereas on the diatonic I was playing blues-harp shtick.
I've worked hard to develop blues-harp shtick because that's the sound that drew me in. And I've tried to mix it up with different positions and working out more specific parts for each song. But broadly and honestly, it's the similar thing on every song! Here comes another warble.
2. On chromatic, I was playing singles notes, with some dipping, bending and vibrato as the chromatic allows, and the basic sound was pleasing, and promoted lingering. On the diatonic I realise I often feel pressure to be playing another blues-lick, or throwing in a random growly 2''.
Not seeking answers here, just chewing the cud. I think learning chromatic even vaguely properly, in many keys, would take a great deal of extra effort and I'm trying to convince myself not to do it.
One issue would be the longevity of the reeds. Diatonics and replacement parts are cheap, chromatics aren't. I'll ask about that on the main forum.
Last Edited by MindTheGap on Jan 29, 2016 12:30 AM
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2chops
475 posts
Jan 29, 2016
5:27 AM
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About 2 years ago I started working with my chroms. Glad I did. It is a different feel that, since I've started using them on certain songs with my band, has given us a fresh twist. The same song played in Dmaj on the diatonic, sounds just as good in Dm on the chrom. But it has a different feel. We all like it.
Personally, using the chrom with my solo sets had allowed me to add some big band & jazzier numbers that I like too. Minor key Blues on the big harp is just plain wonderful. My over all goal is to be as well rounded harmonicist as possible. Blues is my home base. But I don't want to be pigeon holed into a single genre.
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I'm workin on it. I'm workin on it.
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Killa_Hertz
383 posts
Jan 29, 2016
5:50 AM
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I agree i would like to learn chromatic at some point. I bought one used, but it needs a little work. I'm not really trying to focus to much attention on it yet tho. Its the same as guitar. I pick it up now n then, but i usually spend every free second on diatonic.
MTG i know it's not the same, but maybe try to play your diatonic in the same fashion as the chromatic. Maybe you'll get a good mix of both. Idk just an idea.
Like try playing for a while without bending. And mostly just single notes.
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"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
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Spderyak
68 posts
Jan 29, 2016
6:08 AM
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I just play with the chromatic a little bit for chording and a jazzy feel.
I know there are a lot of different chromatics out there, but my particular one seems like trying to play a cheese grater, so I lean towards the diatonics.
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MindTheGap
1063 posts
Jan 29, 2016
6:57 AM
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Yes, so maybe it's ok to play it a bit. I suppose I can learn some particular tunes without having to play every key.
kHz - sure but some of the notes are missing :)
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Killa_Hertz
385 posts
Jan 29, 2016
9:53 AM
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Yea i guess you have to learn to Overblow and all to really get it down. Plus with the chronatic you can really get some cool sounds with flicking the button and getting all those invetween notes. It's a whole different animal in my opinion. But definatly cool.
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"Trust Those Who Seek The Truth. Doubt Those Who Say They Have Found It."
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Rontana
274 posts
Jan 29, 2016
9:58 AM
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MTG - If you're looking to play bonafide tunes on the diatonic, don't rule out 1st position. I've got 5 or 6 songs I do in first just because I like them so much (Brown Eyed Girl, The Night They Drove old Dixie Down, Over the Rainbow etc, etc).
But you can also do an awful lot of melodies in 2nd position diatonic. Give just about anything by CCR a try (and an awful lot of gospel and traditional folk tunes)
Nothin; against the chrom . . . but I agree that it probably would require the addition of an entirely new learning curve
Last Edited by Rontana on Jan 29, 2016 9:59 AM
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MindTheGap
1065 posts
Jan 29, 2016
11:07 AM
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Yes that's a very good point. I can play some 1st position but I don't use it very much.
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Ian
261 posts
Feb 01, 2016
1:20 AM
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I picked up a cheapo Swan 12 hole chromatic simply as I felt that I should.... To give me an idea what makes them tick and perhaps to play the occasional tune, maybe a bit of Stevie.
Part of the reason as well was to force myself to learn more about music theory again, you know, with a proper instrument.... That has all the notes!
I think that both the instruments are well suited for different purposes and should be treated, in many ways, as totally different and incomparable.
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