Power Chromatic

A space for players interested in my specialist harmonicas, alternate tunings, instructional material, recordings etc to ask questions and share information, experiences, videos etc.
Paris
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri May 26, 2017 2:18 am
Location: Santa rosa, CA

Re: Power Chromatic

Post by Paris » Mon Jan 22, 2018 5:17 pm

@Nick

I find the doubled A or the 5th scale Tone, If You Are playing in second position (D major), to be very useful. For instance if I know I want to warble between the 5th and the 7th tone (A-C) all use the blow note because the 7th would be the adjacent 6 blow allowing for quick transition between the two notes.

Another example, if I want to play a lick that bends from the 5 to the b5(blue note)and then to 3rd (f#) i would plan on using the 4 draw to start the lick.

Just two examples where there are seemingly endless variations. Hope that helps.

Sachlaw
Posts: 56
Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2017 11:30 pm

Re: Power Chromatic

Post by Sachlaw » Thu Jan 25, 2018 5:37 pm

Lizzy wrote:
Sat Jan 20, 2018 7:57 am
I have been tempted to try PC but is unsure what benefits i can use with it compaired to what i already are using. I have used halfvalved powerbender since it came out. My goal with it was to be able to play all chromatic notes. That is achieved and i can play all 12 major scales but maybe i am are missing some point here. I am always curious to try things that are new to me. Only concern is if it ends in a drawer because it dont add something new to my playing.
Everyone will have a different take on this, but maybe this point will help you decide:

Since you are playing PB already, you have been playing the breath pattern for PC in the middle octave.
Also, if you have Brenda's PB book, some middle octave instruction and backing tracks will cross over to the PC, assuming you tune your chro to ABDF#/BC#EG.
If you want to get a "peek" ahead before you re-tune a chro, you can tape holes 1-3 and 8-10 on your PB and see if you you like focusing on just that pattern.

Lizzy
Posts: 160
Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 1:42 pm
Location: Sweden

Re: Power Chromatic

Post by Lizzy » Thu Jan 25, 2018 8:30 pm

Thanks for the tip.
But my approach is to use PC as is. I dont have the PC tuning diagram in front of me so i cant see what other tunings are similar to PC but i am more curious if the tuning itself could open up any new chromatic patterns because of the PC bending capability. However, when the Unibender is released i can experiment with different tunings because i already have several different tunings on some older diatonic harmonicas.

Paris
Posts: 50
Joined: Fri May 26, 2017 2:18 am
Location: Santa rosa, CA

Re: Power Chromatic

Post by Paris » Thu Jan 25, 2018 9:55 pm

If you're just trying to decide if learning the tuning is worth your time, you might try purchasing Brendan's exclusively power chromatic album such as "back to back" or "swingfellas"
Listen to his playing and think about whether or not you can accomplish the same sounds with the tunings you were used to.

Lizzy
Posts: 160
Joined: Sun May 07, 2017 1:42 pm
Location: Sweden

Re: Power Chromatic

Post by Lizzy » Sat Jan 27, 2018 8:44 am

Yes, that is a good tip. Thanks!

Nick
Posts: 15
Joined: Mon Mar 27, 2017 9:17 pm

Re: Power Chromatic

Post by Nick » Tue Feb 13, 2018 8:10 am

Brendan wrote:
Sun Jan 07, 2018 6:21 am
After a while you'll find it useful to have the options.

When you're practicing a tune or lick, try both A notes. You'll find one of them will give a better flow/feel than the other. Choose it in that context. After some time you'll naturally go to that option when similar phrases occur.
I'm finding now after a bit of work with PC I naturally go to one A or the other. It's taking time as I've been using Major cross/circular tunings for some time now.

On another note, on Brendan's tune a day thread there was the discussion about a C harp retuned to G which got me thinking about
retuning a 260 in C to G PC, and it turns out there's only 4 reeds per plate the need altering, so for the top plate the Fs to F# and the Cs to A.
I like the size of the 260 so I'm giving it a go.

Nick
Posts: 15
Joined: Mon Mar 27, 2017 9:17 pm

Re: Power Chromatic

Post by Nick » Thu Feb 22, 2018 10:24 pm

A quick update, I returned a hohner 260 in C last weekend to PC and fitted a Power comb and half valved while i was at it.
The repeated As are no longer a problem, I'm already, as Brendan said, finding they work naturally in their own phrase.
Tunes are slower than they were on Major cross but they're getting there.
I'm also tending to use the slider for lower plate notes rather than bending, this is probably a throwback from playing Major cross.

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Brendan
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Re: Power Chromatic

Post by Brendan » Mon Feb 26, 2018 10:31 am

I'm in the process of getting some samples made by Easttop of PowerChromatic tuning on the Lucky 13. Just a couple of keys. I've made some myself, and finding it great for Bluegrass and Ragtime tunes where you want the easy chromaticism with a funkier diatonic tone.

Here's a test demo of playing Lucky 13 and DM48 MIDI harmonica on the fiddle tune Jerusalem Ridge:

http://www.brendan-power.com/tuneaday.php

Also getting some samples of the Lucky 13 in Solo Tuning. It will take a while for them to be made and checked out, will let you know when they are ready to be released.

Sachlaw
Posts: 56
Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2017 11:30 pm

Re: Power Chromatic

Post by Sachlaw » Fri Mar 02, 2018 12:38 am

I will definitely be up for a couple of keys for a PC Lucky 13. The "PCLY13?"

Gnarly
Posts: 11
Joined: Fri Mar 24, 2017 6:31 pm

Re: Power Chromatic

Post by Gnarly » Fri Mar 23, 2018 11:42 pm

I had converted a 64 to half valved Power Chromatic, but I'm fickle--it's now a Dimi.

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