Tuning Reality Check, Part 4

Some chromatic harmonica players, such as Brendan Power for example, use the chromatic harmonica in positions, just like we do on the diatonic harmonica... it's all about using our instrument to meet the needs of the music. In some cases playing the C Chromatic Harmonica in all keys is not the best choice. Blues for example is best played in 3rd Position (2nd and 1st also being used, but lacking the cool sounding chords that 3rd Position has to offer). Again, in the end, it's all about the music we love to play, so the tuning or approach to standard or altered tunings needs to be seen in that light.

We've also found that historical perspective is important. If you play a historic style of music (Blues) then you'll use historic tunings. So... to one person what's innovative to them is awkward to another. Hmmm... it's all really about perspective then, isn't it?

When you need F# on the C Harmonica do you omit the use of 5 draw (F) and play 2' (F#) like the classic players do?... or do you tune up the 5 draw (F) with a file to make Country Tuning (F#) like the tinkerers would do?... or overblow the 5+ (F#) like the overbenders would do?... or play it on a chromatic harmonica (2 draw, button in) like the chromatic harmonica players do? Isn't the answer "yes" to all the above? The end result is generally the same, but unique to each player's preference.