running out of breath
Hi all,
I recently started playing an old Chromonica 10 hole that Wilson Music in Nemarket ON rebuilt for me. It sounds awesome! Coming from an 'almost intermediate" level on diatonic, I am loving it. Third positionis very intuitive. However ALL THOSE DRAW NOTES!. There's definitely a learning curve to getting your breath to last. Even on "no sweat" (the level one chromatic practice song) you really have to pay attention. plus you dont have the option of using 3 blow intead of 2 draw to dump some air. I also find tht you need more air on the Chromatic than the diatonic.
Anyone else having this problem?
Andy
A chromatic that takes morebreath than a diatonic is a leaky harp. This can be due to a poor seal between the body and the reedplates, the body and the mouthpiece/slide assembly, or because the insturment doesn't have windsaver valves.
I'm not familiar with Wilson Music or their work, but that's my analysis.
Thanks for that information Winslow - my feeling is that this is more of a "tradesman' problem than a "tool' problem. I think the shop did as good a job as possible on my harp, (which was very old and abused). i will work on my technique and hopfully get more confortable with the chromatic.
Cheers
Hello ptarmigan,
I'm practicing that song too. Try dumping air on all blow holes. I'm using Hohner CX12 its really air tight too.
Good Luck
Sanshinbo