Polar Bear-------Congratulations! That 64 is one mighty fine piece of equipment. Mighty fine!
As you may know, the chromatic is as much a different instrument from the diatonic as the sax is from the trumpet.
I have a 64 (4 octave) as well as several 3 octave chromatics. I play them mainly in third position because I play blues.
This means that your 64, which is in C Major, would be used to play in D. (That danged circle of fifths again). The advantage of the 3 octave models is that they are available in a variety of keys other than C but they don't have that lower octave that is the signature of the 64.
If you have never played a harmonica before, the first stumbling block you will face is learning to play single notes.
The most common way to approach this on a chromatic is to use what is called tongue blocking. Using this method, you place your mouth over 4 holes and use your tongue to cover the 3 holes to the left of the hole you want. This technique is especially important if you choose to play classical pieces because some passages require a reversal of the blocked side.
It can be quite frustrating to develope this technique. What I personally recommend, is that, at least for starters, you learn what is called the "U" block. To do this, you roll your tongue into a "u" shape and place it under the hole you have chosen. Even if you choose to abandon this method in favor of tongue blocking,you will at least have overcome the frustration of learning how to get a single note. (Don't force it into this position, just let it relax) This will probably seem natural for you because it resembles the embouchure used to play trumpet.
One very good place to get supplies and instructionals is a place called "The Best Li'l Harp House". I don't know how to link you but goggle will take you right there. I like the series that Charlie Musselwhite has because it parallels diatonic lessons beside chromatic lessons but this may not be what you are after because it is focused on blues.
Another good place to check out is called "harp-l". It is a forum where, on any given day, you are likely to find posts from novices to world renown classical players. Some of the best players in the world come here to nurture and encourage.
Good luck! it's the only instrument that is played both on the inhale as well as the exhale(as far as I know)
Lots of chromatic blues players out there to serve as role models. Check out Rod Piazza. He plays that big octive style that has become so popular. Kim Wilson and Mitch Kashmar, too. Then, of course were the giants, William Clarke and Paul Delay who are no longer with us. But the granddaddy of them all was George"Harmonica" Smith who taught and mentored so many great players throughout his career.
I had a voice message here from Sunday that was close to 3 minutes in length of which I listened to every second of. It was from a Days Inn in Hendersonville NC with someone playing a guitar and never saying a word.
Usually they are men breathing into the phone while they are taking care of other matters.
I know they weren't waysider but I just had to smile when I read your post T-Bone.
I hope you weren’t offended, Waysider – I was just having a little fun with what you said. I think you’re a fine upstanding musician who simply wants more harmonica in the home.
I hope you weren’t offended, Waysider – I was just having a little fun with what you said. I think you’re a fine upstanding musician who simply wants more harmonica in the home.
"More harmonica in the home"
Hey! that's what I thought it said on the green card! That's why I took "the class".
Believe it or not, there is actually a book titled "Harmonicas, Harps, and Heavy Breathers(The Evolution of the People's Instrument)" by Kim Field. Pretty good book if you have any interest in the history of the instrument or bios of key players. Kinda lengthy for the casual reader, though(325 pgs.)
Great stuff on the harmonica. I'm so happy to have it. I got it for a steal from a friend.
Sure hope I didn't offend anyone by starting a music thread. I see the guitar thread as being more for those who are musicians, or sort of musicians like me. Sort of shop talk. There has been a lot of great music posted here.
As for the music lovers thread, I thought we could try to attract more folks to some of this good music that has been posted as some folks may not come here that often to talk about guitars and such.
If someone comes across a good tune you could post it here and as well in the music lovers thread.
Here is an interesting riddle for you all. See if you can figure out how this was done. (Hint the band is a Christian band called MuteMath and they memorized this song in reverse.)
Edited by polar bear
I can't do anything high tech here so I haven't been able to look/listen to this.
I do know ,though, that David Seville used to create the "Chipmunk" music by performing in a regular voice while the recording tape ran at a slow speed. He would then play it back/record it at normal speed and thus create that high pitched chipmunk sound and yet maintain & preserve the correct metre so as not to sound like a tape that was being played at high speed. Of course, this digital world we live in makes all that stuff much simpler to do.
Here is an interesting riddle for you all. See if you can figure out how this was done. (Hint the band is a Christian band called MuteMath and they memorized this song in reverse.)
Hmmmm. The song didn't sound like it was in reverse to me,
(although the video showed a lot of backwards movement).
I don't know (or pay attention) to songs in that genre,
so I'd be unfamiliar if it was another song re-done backwards.
(Did Mathman get it correct?? It did sound like 4 chords only).
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dmiller
As much as I've tried -- I'll never achieve this level of:
Beauty and Grace.
82 years old, and still pickin.
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ChattyKathy
It's only just begun to play and already I can see green pastures and smell fresh air. Beautiful!
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socks
T-Bone, ya got me going on the 3000. I was messing with the Reverse effect, and Delay settings. YOW! It's really nice. Just met myself coming back!
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polar bear
Just bought myself a Hohner Chromonica 64 harmonica. I've always wanted one.
Anyone know where I can find some good harmonica music to practice with?
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waysider
Polar Bear-------Congratulations! That 64 is one mighty fine piece of equipment. Mighty fine!
As you may know, the chromatic is as much a different instrument from the diatonic as the sax is from the trumpet.
I have a 64 (4 octave) as well as several 3 octave chromatics. I play them mainly in third position because I play blues.
This means that your 64, which is in C Major, would be used to play in D. (That danged circle of fifths again). The advantage of the 3 octave models is that they are available in a variety of keys other than C but they don't have that lower octave that is the signature of the 64.
If you have never played a harmonica before, the first stumbling block you will face is learning to play single notes.
The most common way to approach this on a chromatic is to use what is called tongue blocking. Using this method, you place your mouth over 4 holes and use your tongue to cover the 3 holes to the left of the hole you want. This technique is especially important if you choose to play classical pieces because some passages require a reversal of the blocked side.
It can be quite frustrating to develope this technique. What I personally recommend, is that, at least for starters, you learn what is called the "U" block. To do this, you roll your tongue into a "u" shape and place it under the hole you have chosen. Even if you choose to abandon this method in favor of tongue blocking,you will at least have overcome the frustration of learning how to get a single note. (Don't force it into this position, just let it relax) This will probably seem natural for you because it resembles the embouchure used to play trumpet.
One very good place to get supplies and instructionals is a place called "The Best Li'l Harp House". I don't know how to link you but goggle will take you right there. I like the series that Charlie Musselwhite has because it parallels diatonic lessons beside chromatic lessons but this may not be what you are after because it is focused on blues.
Another good place to check out is called "harp-l". It is a forum where, on any given day, you are likely to find posts from novices to world renown classical players. Some of the best players in the world come here to nurture and encourage.
Good luck! it's the only instrument that is played both on the inhale as well as the exhale(as far as I know)
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dmiller
Love hearing about harps. I've had several over the years.
Never really did learn to *play* them.
But it was ALWAYS inspiring to hear a good harp player who knew his stuff.
Musselwhite, McCoy, (too many others to mention), etc.
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socks
The Chromonica 64...
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polar bear
Thanks Waysider-I will look up those sites. And who says I don't like the Blues. That's my kind of music.
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waysider
Lots of chromatic blues players out there to serve as role models. Check out Rod Piazza. He plays that big octive style that has become so popular. Kim Wilson and Mitch Kashmar, too. Then, of course were the giants, William Clarke and Paul Delay who are no longer with us. But the granddaddy of them all was George"Harmonica" Smith who taught and mentored so many great players throughout his career.
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T-Bone
So don’t freak out if you hear heavy breathing when you pick up the phone – it may be Waysider practicing his harmonica technique.
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ChattyKathy
I had a voice message here from Sunday that was close to 3 minutes in length of which I listened to every second of. It was from a Days Inn in Hendersonville NC with someone playing a guitar and never saying a word.
Usually they are men breathing into the phone while they are taking care of other matters.
I know they weren't waysider but I just had to smile when I read your post T-Bone.
:)
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T-Bone
I hope you weren’t offended, Waysider – I was just having a little fun with what you said. I think you’re a fine upstanding musician who simply wants more harmonica in the home.
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ChattyKathy
T-Bone,
Please don't let my post infer you were being rude, I was just playing with waysider myself.
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waysider
"More harmonica in the home"
Hey! that's what I thought it said on the green card! That's why I took "the class".
Believe it or not, there is actually a book titled "Harmonicas, Harps, and Heavy Breathers(The Evolution of the People's Instrument)" by Kim Field. Pretty good book if you have any interest in the history of the instrument or bios of key players. Kinda lengthy for the casual reader, though(325 pgs.)
It has some great black and white photos too.
"Have fun while you can, fate's an awful thing."
THE T-BONE SHUFFLE by T-Bone Walker
:)
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polar bear
Great stuff on the harmonica. I'm so happy to have it. I got it for a steal from a friend.
Sure hope I didn't offend anyone by starting a music thread. I see the guitar thread as being more for those who are musicians, or sort of musicians like me. Sort of shop talk. There has been a lot of great music posted here.
As for the music lovers thread, I thought we could try to attract more folks to some of this good music that has been posted as some folks may not come here that often to talk about guitars and such.
If someone comes across a good tune you could post it here and as well in the music lovers thread.
PB
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polar bear
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ChattyKathy
Are you saying they are doing that in reverse in regular order?
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waysider
I can't do anything high tech here so I haven't been able to look/listen to this.
I do know ,though, that David Seville used to create the "Chipmunk" music by performing in a regular voice while the recording tape ran at a slow speed. He would then play it back/record it at normal speed and thus create that high pitched chipmunk sound and yet maintain & preserve the correct metre so as not to sound like a tape that was being played at high speed. Of course, this digital world we live in makes all that stuff much simpler to do.
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ChasUFarley
This is a RARE post from Mathman... (Chas' hubby)
Four chords -- sounds a little like Teen Spirit by Nirvana, but think it's more like the OK GO song.
Eb, Db, Ab, Gb.
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dmiller
Hmmmm. The song didn't sound like it was in reverse to me,
(although the video showed a lot of backwards movement).
I don't know (or pay attention) to songs in that genre,
so I'd be unfamiliar if it was another song re-done backwards.
(Did Mathman get it correct?? It did sound like 4 chords only).
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socks
Check it out - 4 chords, maybe more. And they gotta nice bass player!
The video someone did, of the song, in a video!
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dmiller
That's a dark song.
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socks
Yah, I like Fastball. Good rock band. Harmoni Kelly
they're bass player.
That site - Bassgirls - never seen it before. Have you Chas?
But...the rest of the story...here.
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ChattyKathy
I'm not understanding fully but I think I'm too spread out in threads right now. I'll try to get my head around what I'm missing.
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