LOVE OF CHROMATIC HARMONICA...Techniques and Advice From The World's Best! Paperback – August 10, 2015

Love of Chromatic Harmonica, By David Kettlewell and Frederica Cohen is just over 670 pages of things Students of the Chromatic Harmonica need to know. As a newcomer to this often frustrating instrument, I found so much in this “Bible” to enthuse, guide and inspire me. Among its pages is a section of interviews titled “Contributor Chapters” 423 pages of the personal stories of the trials and successes of many established players who have generously donated their experiences for all to read. Personally, I find these player interviews a source of priceless knowledge and their wisdom is worth re-reading frequently.David Kettlewell is no slouch when it comes to musical knowledge so be warned, in this book he occasionally repeats himself, with good reason: so much of his valuable information is well worth driving home. Although book learning is not the best way to approach the Chromatic Harmonica, it is far less daunting than the logistical nightmare of taking on Internet lessons between The USA and most foreign countries. Thankfully, a good chunk of David Kettlewell’s formidable knowledge is also available on his website and YouTube.Why learn the Chromatic Harp? After struggling with a Hohner Special 20, I decided that my mouth was just too clunky to play that tiny instrument which then sat in its box for four years before I revised my “bucket list”. I decided to try another type of Harp – something bigger. The first, a Chrometta 12 was a vast improvement, then the somewhat more comfortable Swan 1248 and as soon as my budget allowed, a Suzuki SCX-64C Chromatix, for which my lips and lungs are eternally grateful.The price of “Love of Chromatic Harmonica” worried me (considering the currency exchange rate and the high cost of postage), but as with several of my reference books bought through AMAZON I purchased the Kindle version and read it first. I was hooked, and bought the paperback version in all its glory – money well spent. This is not the only Harmonica “how to” I own, I have a half dozen others, but it is one of the two I most often refer to and easily the most comprehensive book in my collection.A big part of playing Chromatic Harmonicas is keeping the instrument working well, and regular maintenance is critical to prolong its useful life. While big time players pay technicians to service their harmonicas, few beginner/learners can afford these services. This book covers most of what you need to know about servicing and trouble-shooting to help you circumvent most awkward mistakes and keep you playing longer. “Love of Chromatic Harmonica” contains essential information about keeping a chromatic harmonica in good working order.A point worth noting is that products mentioned in books of this type are often not easily acquired outside the country of authorship -- no doubt the converse applies. David Kettlewell covers lubricating the slide in detail, his preferred lubricant is unheard of in my homeland so I had to brain-pick until I found a suitable substitute. The makers of CRC products here sell a (certified Food Grade) Silicone grease that does not melt, run, freeze or dry out. I use this grease very sparingly and follow his instructions in all other regards and my slide continues to work like new after being cleaned and reassembled several times.This is not a book of printed music, yet it is extremely music oriented. What it does teach in great detail is the art of making music with your chromatic harmonica. The book uses a holistic approach which sets out how to play and why it works. There is also a short section dealing with the correct frame of mind and mental approach to make learning the harmonica work for you. It is very easy for a learner to lose heart and begin to drift but “Managing Your Feelings... Staying In The Proper Frame Of Mind” is a powerful little gem of a chapter and well worth reading carefully.I think readers will use this book as I do, for frequent memory refreshing. When unsure of a particular aspect of playing or maintaining, I drag it from the shelf and soon become so engrossed in my search that I occasionally spend longer than intended re-reading sections that I come across in my initial search. It is really like reading an encyclopedia: addictive!“Love of Chromatic Harmonica” is an easy to read learning tool – five star quality. Ms Cohen’s influence is so seamlessly blended into the structure of this work that she and David Kettlewell surely make a great teaching team. With a copy of their book, along with the YouTube segments and “mastersofharmonica.com” there is little else a player needs to get well on the way to success, except of course determination, and a few good tunes to practice.

My background is as a student of blues now moving into other styles on chromatic. As such I found the book very useful for filling in the gaps in my techniques and knowledge. What the book does not do and is not intended to do is cover the blues styles of Little Walter, Kim Wilson, etc. One could imagine that a motivated beginner could actually use this book, a tuner, a metronome, and a lot of listening and practice to actually become an accomplished player. The book is practical and fun to read.If you're a newcomer take the author's advice and employ tongue blocking embouchure from the start. You'll find that even single notes have a cleaner, stronger tone than with the pucker technique.The book is simply indispensable. I have both the kindle and paper versions and prefer paper because it has a table of contents.I have many chromatic harmonicas including Hohners, Suzuki Sirius and Seydel Saxony Orchestra. I continue to play them all. The brass reeds of Hohner have their own sweet tone but you must play them gently without more than 1/4 tone bends on a chromatic or they'll get out of tune and wear out. So unless you're in love with brass tone your best bet for a chromatic would be Sirius or Saxony. These are much more durable and as the authors point out can be bent much more deeply without damage. I got good service and pricing from Rockin Ron whom the authors reccomended.I would add that in my limited interaction with Mr. Kettlewell I've found him to be quite generous and thoughtful.

I wasnt sure of this book being very new to the chromatic harmonica however I have learnt so much that will help me on my early journey. Whilst we all rush to youtube etc because of the visual, this book is a good reason to take some time for a diffrrent petspective. Put something gentle on to listen to. Take your time reading the book. Have an open mind. You will be surprised even as a beginner the wisdom that this book imparts.

For too long the harmonica has been regarded as a toy. More so for the diatonic but the attitude has rubbed off on the chromatic harmonica. The first thing I loved about this book is that it treats the CH as a serious instrument. Just like the saxophone, trumpet, violin and so on.Certainly, to play elementary music on the harmonica requires very little skill at all. But advancing to the higher levels is a different matter entirely. This requires years of focused practise. You won't get there with the attitude that the instrument is a toy.The authors take the instrument seriously. There are no musical examples in the book. Instead, topics such as holding the harmonica, tongueing, breathing, vibrato, articulation - all the elements of performing- are broken down into words, telling the student how to do the required task. It is a good method that both readers and non readers can access easily.The second half of the book is comprised of interviews with world leaders of a variety of musical genres. I found these interviews to be just as insightful as the tutorial portion of the book.The book has 674 pages and I would say it is destined to be the principal text from which the chromatic harmonic is taught. If the chromatic harmonica should ever achieve sufficient popularity to be taught in the world's Conservatoriums I would imagine Love of Chromatic Harmonica to be a required text.My copy sits on my coffee table. It is always at hand. I go for days without touching it; then I have a problem and it is the first place I look. I know that if I can't find the answer here, I am in trouble.