Harmonica lesson: Playing jazz on the chromatic AND diatonic harmonica

In this video I talk, play and show difference in sound and expression on the diatonic and chromatic harmonica. Which one do you prefer? :-) Welcome to write in the comments.
Best,
Filip
Do you want to study harmonica with me?
Welcome to check out my Patreon page for video lessons:
/ filipjersharmonica

[@amardeepganguly6676]

Not only his playing is out of this world, I love how his mustache dances as he plays the harmonica

[@FilipJersMusic]

Thanks!

[@mk5586]

I play 90% of my time on my Chromatic SCX. I love the sound and when I feel the harmonica on my lips. It's fantastic. The Diatonic is ok, I play this, when I go walk with my dog. It's cool, you can put them in your trousers. I hope you can understand what I mean. Many greats from Phyco Germany. Manuel

[@FilipJersMusic]

Yes the diatonic is very portable!

[@raymondchew8894]

Chromatic sounds so clean like CD recording. And diatonic sounds like vinyl recording imperfect so groovy.

[@FilipJersMusic]

Totally!

[@WrinkleRelease]

Goddamn, you can play. That improvisation is exactly why I want to play. Such a freeing experience. That C chromatic sounded so round and rich. I loved how that sounded. Gotta add, that run you did on the G diatonic was so clean it seemed pre-recorded.

[@FilipJersMusic]

Thanks for your very kind words!

[@code3xiv]

Watching you play. I give up. I surrender. Im done. Im gonna go play tambourine now. Bye.

[@torbjrnsrensen7385]

HAAAHAH! Fantastic comment 🤣👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@MickyWalnuts]

Stick to triangle 😂

[@garygullikson6349]

Amazed what you and others can play on diatonics. I have played both types for many years impressed early on by Little Walter, Paul Butterfield, Lee Oscar and Terry McMillan. For me, chromatics are easier to play for classical, popular, folk and even some flamenco. I need to work on playing diatonics and see that there are a lot of "how to" videos on You Tube. I think that playing blues is given a lot of attention on YT but think that learning to play other styles of music, also, should be given more emphasis.

[@FilipJersMusic]

Thanks for your kind words! 🎶🌞🎶

[@ArmAlKay]

Whatever you play sounds beautiful.

[@FilipJersMusic]

🎶🙏🎶

[@es330]

Very nice. I had thought the diatonic wouldn't cut jazz without the accidentals but it works well. I think you were able to make some more interesting lines on the chromatic in that first take. Nice playing.

[@FilipJersMusic]

Thanks!

[@bbqbluesband]

Thanks for your talents and vibing the blend of 2 different instruments, but actually one. Very Cool

[@FilipJersMusic]

Thanks for your kind words! 🎶🌞🎶

[@johnnyjazz355]

Top shelf brother! thank you. deep lesson and your playing is next level. i'm a horn player dabbling on a CX12... stumbled on your site...got my eye on you sir!! thanks for the great vibes and music! :)

[@FilipJersMusic]

Cool, thanks for listening!

[@suzansh4582]

You are the first one that I hit the sub button passionately. You hit the one crucial problem for me which I was struggling with., which is I like to listen to jazz and blues music. I reached to the point that I don’t know which to buy a chromatic or a diatonic harmonica? G or C key? Come to the conclusion is that both of them are good. The best chose is that with some bending you can play jazz on the diatonic harp and also I can play blues with chromatic harp. Thank you so much for your help Filip. 😊❤

[@redchandler]

Love it! Awesome playing!

[@FilipJersMusic]

Many thanks!

[@bach484]

I have a problem with the intonation on the diatonic in a jazz setting. The vibrato on the chromatic is better too.

[@kliudrsfhlih]

I just love hearing you play

[@FilipJersMusic]

Thanks for listening!

[@FranklinNewhart]

I know it is the absolute cheapest Chromatic on the market but I have found that because of the shape, the Tower Chromatic can actually be played like a Diatonic with all the expressions of a Diatonic but with all the advantages of a Chromatic. For under 25 bucks you should give it a try.

[@FilipJersMusic]

Aha interesting, never heard of it!

[@rhatid]

Call UNESCO, we've another cultural heritage phenomenon! Wonderful playing! Thank you!

[@BillyBranchMusic]

Truly masterful!

[@FilipJersMusic]

Thanks! 🎶🎶🎶

[@vincentmizzoni6999]

I guess I need to practice more. Lovely sound my friend and great tips ! Going to practice now

[@FilipJersMusic]

Thanks for your kind words! 🎶🌞🎶

[@kirkgombos4078]

Hello Evan great video ... I love the sound of jazz on the harmonica ... Do you mostly play jazz using the major and minor pentatonic scales ????

[@willusions]

I just found your channel, I’m super excited to see what I can learn from you man

[@FilipJersMusic]

Thanks! 🎶🎶🎶

[@mk5586]

Wow, du bist wahrlich ein großartiger Spieler. 👍👍👍👍 Wer sich als Lehrer hat, kann nur empor stoßen. Großartige Darbietung. Perfekt. Danke dir vielmals 👍👍👍👍👌👌👌👌

[@harmonica212]

The second song reminds me of Haward Levy's tone and sound. It sounds great.

[@FilipJersMusic]

Thanks for your kind words! 🎶🌞🎶

[@harmonica212]

@FilipJersMusic, sure.

[@anandaarju5389]

I love the versetility of diatonic harmonica.

[@FilipJersMusic]

Yes it works in so many genres and has a huge expression 🎶🎶🎶

[@nikonrulz]

Great playing!....the chromatic is much smoother sound, it seems to me.

[@thomasinlondon2849]

Brilliant improvisation. Very insightful on the techniques involved. Has helped me a lot. G is my favourite key. Very interesting to see a G Chromatic.

[@FilipJersMusic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@greatalberto-harmonica]

I have found another great player!

[@ailinyong1516]

Wow! You are the new Toots!

[@p1nesap]

Wonderful playing; that diatonic harp jazz sounds so organic. Do you transpose to G harp for a happy pentatonic sound (as opposed to C harp for the blues)? Do you use the F# as a flat 5 note (of C), or just omit it?

[@ZvikaDror]

Enjoyed and highly inspired! Thank you

[@ruairilogan153]

So incredibly beautiful

[@nico.nico.harmonica]

Awesome! Thanks for sharing. Indeed, each has its own flavour. I've been practising with both simultaneously for the past months, and it's how you say, working those muscles and embouchure in the diatonic to make the notes come as fluid as possible considering the technique behind, and then working in that hand coordination and still trying to make the solo tuning second nature (I was a diatonic player long before picking up the chromatic). Do you share the same exercises when practising on both (scales, patterns, etc), or would you recommend doing so? Some extremely easy practice in the chromatic can take a huge amount in the diatonic, considering how tricky it can be to nail the exact bend or overbend. Thanks in advance!!

[@gergely_hando]

Gosh! Amazing! Did you overblow on the diatonic?

[@ahimsa1979]

damn, I'll definitely never be able to play like You.... it's too late :( but I thought you would also tell what key of the harmonica suits the best to jazz in 1st position

[@FilipJersMusic]

Bb is a great harp for jazz in 1st position!

[@ahimsa1979]

@@FilipJersMusic thank You so much for your answer :)

[@kymasiellis]

So incredible!

[@FilipJersMusic]

Thanks 🙏

[@ikeaoperative]

Jättefint! Älskar din musik!

[@Svidge_123_]

Filip, your improvised interpretation of old classic is a marvelous. Instead of filling space between bars with piles of bits and pieces of corresponding scales, like many others on KZbin, you introduce intricate, delicious emotionally charged phrases that flawlessly weaved into a new story within a familiar book cover. When you improvise it feels like that's exactly what original composer was looking for, but couldn't find until you figured it out.

[@matthewtucker8994]

Excellent

[@FilipJersMusic]

Thanks

[@matthewtucker8994]

@FilipJersMusic I want to get to your level of proficiency. Good job Sir. 👏

[@edwardsantiago1412]

What are the best jazz harmonica?

[@FilipJersMusic]

I would recommend a 12 hole chromatic in C to start with

[@hoogreg]

Very cool, thanks! Is the G Suzuki a stock instrument, or did you special order it? I assume it's a level up from a SCX...

[@FilipJersMusic]

Hi! Thanks. The G diatonic is a custom diatonic I made myself. The chromatic in G is a stock SCX48 but with wooden covers made by a luthier in Vietnam, great sound and feel in those covers.

[@donnaisa6100]

The diatonic harmonica: is it Richter or Paddy Richter tuning?

[@FilipJersMusic]

Richter tuning

[@donnaisa6100]

@@FilipJersMusic thanks for your quick response. May I ask what do you think about Arkia harmonicas? Which tuning would you recommend (Richter or Paddle Richter)? Which harmonica do you recommend for easy overblow/draw?

[@edwardsantiago1412]

Hi, can you play jazz on a G harmonica on a marine brand crossover and sound like you?

[@FilipJersMusic]

Hello, good question, I don't know. I like Suzukis both Hohner is also good.

[@SimeneitorT800]

aren't you from the movie Sound of Freedom?

[@alenapociskova6264]

Moc hezký ❤

[@ciculasacher327]

Very interesting, thanks! What is your opinion on Bebop tuning for the chromatic harmonica? Would you recommend it?

[@FilipJersMusic]

Hi! Thanks for watching. Good question. I tried it but I feel that sticking to normal tuning is easier and better for me. I don't know if things will get easier with bebop tuning, it is more about the hours you practice, don't matter the tuning 😀 of course some phrasing will be easier on bebop tuning but you would also loose some things that you have available standard tuning.🎶🎶🎶

[@ciculasacher327]

@@FilipJersMusic Hej Filip, thanks for your wise reply. I guess you are right, bebop tuning solves some problems, but creates others instead.

[@lucasanfilippo5370]

...wow..

[@sebastiannieto3842]

Insane

[@FilipJersMusic]

🎶🙏🎶