![chromatic harmonica chromatic harmonica](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-s1QlofQaTRA/U3GUb8_wFFI/AAAAAAAAAnQ/YOK5a-l7m0I/s1600/Hohner_Chromonica_+Super64_Gold.jpg)
![chromatic harmonica chromatic harmonica](https://www.howcast.com/.image/t_share/MTU5NzA0MjUwNDk4MTYzNzMy/b-how-to-play-notes-on-a-harmonica-promo-image.jpg)
(Of course, Toots use a standard 3 octaves harmonica to play jazz, so maybe it's not much of a problem.) Lastly, it is limited to three octaves, making it restricting if players truly want to play in numerous keys. Also, it requires precise tonal control (not unlike playing trumpet), as it is easy to miss the required note during bending and accidentally bend down a whole tone. Still, XB-40 is not without problems the C-key model, for example, often warrants complaints about its third octave, in which bending (blow and draw) is difficult to perform. Thus, it can be very suited for hands-free playing at the very least, and is a definite must for people interested in playing music that have a bluesy or jazzy feeling lastly, since there are many ways to play the same note, it is easier to play legato on XB-40. However, if played properly, it has the tonal quality and precision of both diatonics and chromatics adding to the fact is that it is capable to do some true tones and double reed bends because of the additional reeds.
Chromatic harmonica full#
Overdrive is difficult to use due to its small size (many players have large hands).Īlternatively, the XB-40 is quite easy to bend, but this is also a disadvantage one will need precise control of the bending in order to bend a semi-tone down instead of a full tone down.
![chromatic harmonica chromatic harmonica](https://www.suzuki-harmonicas.com/images/Easttop-T1248K-King-Dream-harmonica-upside-p.jpg)
However, if one truly wants to gain the dynamic feelings of blues and jazz (growling and wailing, for example), it is a good idea to either get the valved harmonica or learn overbends however, much skill is needed since those methods depend on proper embouchure. Since there are still some chords and bends available, it can also convey some of those jazzy feelings. This is because the lowest octave actually allows transposing to even lower octaves additionally it will make the music sound closer to the saxophone in lower registers. Mostly are dyanmic sometimes quantitizedĪs referred by the table, if one wants an instrument that is capable of thickening the sound and playing many tricks (essentially a "one-size-fits-all"), then a chromatic harmonica, especially a four-octaves version, is the only way to go. Must be self-valved to obtain four octaves.Ĭheap if self-valved expensive if buying Suzuki MS-350v Most common is three octaves Four octaves is also quite commonĭifficult to master technique. In general, there are five main ways to get chromatic notes on a harmonica: use a chromatic harmonica, overbend on a diatonic, valve diatonics, use the Hohner XB-40, or use two 24-hole tremolos stacked together.