Chromatics...

[Dauber]

I'm starting to dabble in chromatic harmonica...yeah, I know, that's cheating , but I figured what the hey...I got a Hohner Chromonica 280...and it's surprisingly easy to catch on to, I must say...

But what's the best way to mic this thing?? With a diatonic, it's easy, because you only need one hand to play, and use the other for the mic, but....when you have a much bigger harmonica, and need your right hand to move the slider, how does one steadily hold a microphone to it???

[FatJim]

The Strnad (Yup it's spelt correctly) clips on to the body of the harp and you can get a version for a 12 or 16 hole chrom.

I think Suzuki make specialist mics for bigger harmonicas like chord and bass harps - maybe they do something for a chromatic?

You can hold the harp and mic together in one hand; using your little finger to grip. It's certainly easier if your using something a little less bulk than a bullet mic. The Madcat Shaker mic could work for you, or you could attach a homemade finger loop to one of those lavalier electret mics. The downside of holding a mic like this though is that the top end might not pick up so clearly as the bottom register - especially with a 16 holer.

Is playing into a mic on a stand not an option?

[Dauber]

Actually, playing into a mic PERIOD isn't an option -- I don't have one. (Just a vocal microphone...) But if I ever play it during the jam that starts off my blues harp class, just wanted to know how to hold things properly without looking like a total yutz.