USER GUIDE

3+YEARS

THE CHROMATIC HARMONICA DEFINED

The chromatic harmonica has a button on the right side which when NOT pressed in, allows you to play a standard major scale in the key of the chromatic (typically, the key of "C"), and with the button depressed, gives you all the half-steps or notes in between. This creates a 12-note chromatic scale (all the notes possible in Western Culture music -- like the white and black keys of the piano) and allows you to play any type of scale, in all 12 keys. It is typically used in jazz and classical music, but is found in all styles of music.

"Solo" tuning- Almost all chromatic harmonicas use what is referred to as "solo" tuning for the hole/note layout. The solo tuning is based on a repeating 4 hole pattern with the blow notes being [ C E G C ] and the draw notes being [ D F A B ]. A twelve hole, 3 octave chromatic would have this pattern repeat 3 times. This is di�erent than the standard diatonic hole/note layout which is referred to as the Richter Tuning.

Every set of 4 holes is an identical note layout- A complete "C" Major Scale is found starting on holes 1, 5, and 9 (and hole 13 on the 16-hole chromatics). The pattern is identical if you start on any of these notes for scales and/or songs.

More on "C E G C" and "D F A B" [Pronounced "SEG-SEE" and "DEE-FAB"]- Every set of 4 holes will give you "C E G C" on the blow holes and "D F A B" on the draw notes. For instance, if "C" is found on holes 1 and 5 blow, then "G" will be found on holes 3 and 7 blow.

Middle "C"- Middle "C" on the 10 and 12 hole chromatics is found on hole 1 blow. Middle "C" on the 16 hole chromatic is found on hole 5 blow (hole 4 blow is the same).

How come there are 2 identical blow notes next to each other?- This is a direct result of the "solo tuning" (read above for more info) found on standard chromatics. Double "C" notes are found on an standard key of "C" chromatic harp at holes 4, 5 blow and 8, 9 blow (also holes 12, 13 on a 16 hole chromatic).

Reading music and song tab for the chromatic- The chromatic harmonica (or harp) Hole/Note Layout, sometimes referred to as "Solo" tuning, is similar to the diatonic hole layout (referred to as "Richter" tuning), but not the same, so song tablature is di�erent. Many accomplished chromatic players are able to read standard music notation which eliminates the need for song tab. Reading standard music notation makes more sense and is easier on the chromatic harmonica than on the diatonic, but it is not required to read music to play songs or improvise with a chromatic.

How to play in di�erent keys- The short answer in regards to improvising is to learn the musical scales in all 12 keys (or at least in the keys that you want to play in). If for instance you wanted to play blues in the keys of "G", "A", "C", "D", and "E", you would need to learn the blues scales in those keys and then of course, practice a lot with them. If you are interested in reading music and playing songs, then the issue is moot because the sheet music is already in a speci�c key. This key is usually the same as the original song or recording, but not always.

The chromatic is mostly used for jazz, classical, and pop music- The chromatic harmonica is typically used in jazz, classical, pop, and music where the melodies require more than a 7-note major or minor scale (like on a standard diatonic harmonica).