3 replies to this topic

[ChAnOoD_bLuEs]

Hey, I would love to know if you guys know some websites with tips, tutorials -anything- about the chromatic harp. I play diatonic, but some months ago I bought a Chrometta 8 and the only thing i can do it´s the chromatic part of Love Me Do. I need to learn with the chromatic! I found the chromatic harps really hard to play...

[FatJim]

Seen this David?

http://www.angelfire.com/music/HarpOn/

I know what you mean about chromatic - a whole different instrument! Never really got anywhere with it myself.

I know that most blues players who play the big harp, mostly play in 3rd position - ignoring the slide. Little Walter played a lot of chromatic this way and more recently the like of William Clarke, Paul Oscher and Carey Bell. I also read that some player remove the windsavers from certain reeds so they can bend like a diatonic, but I think that it makes the harp leak air more.

I wish I could play like Stevie Wonder though! full chromatic soul/jazz style! Good luck

[ChAnOoD_bLuEs]

I´ve seen that page but now I can see the chromatic section! Thanks!

I think it´s difficult to made chromatic riffs with the harp when you always played in diatonic... I´ll try again

[FMWoodeye]

It's the opposite for me. I always played chromatics and picked up the diatonics (blues harps) about a year ago. But then, I had training in different instruments beforehand.

If you want to play blues and rock, you should probably stick with the diatonics. Of course, there are some things you can do with a chrom that you can't do with a diatonic, and conversely the diatonics are more naturally suited to blues, train sounds and such.