The chromatic harmonica is much less played than the diatonic harmonica for two reasons: firstly, because of the player’s need to master scales, which brings the chromatic harmonica closer to other, more complex wind instruments. And secondly, because of its more complex assembly when it comes to cleaning the instrument. This is unfortunate, because it is a very elegant and versatile instrument (click here for an example). This article will focus on the first element. For those who wish to learn how to clean a chromatic harmonica, I recommend viewing Brendan Power’s excellent videos on chromatic harmonica assembly (click here for the video).
Following are three steps to get anybody started on the chromatic harmonica. It should be noted that these are basic technical exercises, and I strongly recommend the student of harmonica to experiment and learn things independently as well. Nonetheless, these three steps should not be neglected.
1) The student of chromatic harmonica should learn to play an ascending chromatic scale on the instrument. A chromatic scale is a scale composed entirely of half-tones (or half-step, semi-tones, etc. same thing), and cycles through all twelve notes of western music (click here for an example of a chromatic scale). By learning how to play the chromatic scale, the student of chromatic harmonica will be able to locate all of the notes on the instrument. Once the student has achieved this, he may proceed to the next step.
2) The student of chromatic harmonica should learn to play all 12 major scales in the Ionian mode (click here for an example of a major scale). It might take a while to figure each scale out, but this step is just as essential as the preceding one (click here to hear all 12 major and minor scales). I recommend playing all scales in a two-octave range in order to understand how they loop in the instrument. By learning how to play all 12 major scales, the student of chromatic harmonica will be able to understand the dynamics of the instrument. Once the student has achieved this, he may proceed to the next step.
3) The student of chromatic harmonica should learn to play all 12 major scales in the six other modes: Dorian, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Locrian (click to hear each of these modes in the key of C or do). Note: all scales on the example page are the seven modes of the C or do major scale. If the student already has good musical theory, this step should not take as long as the two first steps.
If the student of chromatic harmonica correctly assimilates all three of these steps, he is well on his way to a basic mastery of the instrument. I recommend playing from thirty to sixty minutes a day whenever possible. And have fun!
