Chromatic: hole 4 or 5 for C ?
Wed, 09/08/2021 - 13:13
Trying to play tunes on the chromatic, I sometimes wonder which C hole to choose.
For example, to play F D C A D, I can use 6 5 +5 3 5 or 6 5 +4 3 5.
I thought at first that using +4 would result in smoother descending motion, moving steadily 1 hole at a time.
Then I found that using +5 seemed easier because moving one time less, even if the jump was wider. Especially with the symmetry of the return motion (+5 3 5).
Trying to play faster, I'm not sure any more, because both need work...
Which strategy should I choose to work to get it "smooth and fast" more easily?
Hello ÉricD. Good question. The concuss among chromatic players is to only use the 5+ C (the higher C). This way, when playing 1+ C and 1 D, then it's mirrored on 5+ C and 5 D (same breathing and movement). Same for the high end. I thought at first that it would be good to use the 4+ in the same way you mention, but it has lead to confusion when improvising. Be consistent, use the 5+ C... this is what others who know more about the chromatic than I have commonly said.