Simple Slide Issue

[cisco]

I saw a tab list where slide was permanently in with occasional button arrow out.
No problem but I wonder why ?

Would I be transposing from one difficult key to another ? 😊
Is there any particular name for such slide “transposing “ ?

[John Broecker]

On one slide chromatic harmonica, we can play in all music scales,
with a lot of practice. But, we must learn the scale breath patterns,
different for all of the chromatic-derived scales.

In music, transposing is changing keys. Going from one key to another
is only difficult when we are not familiar with the keys (more practice
is needed).

We learn to play all scales, derived from each of the 12 notes of the
chromatic scale. In music, the word, "chromatic" defines a scale that
has 12-tones.

If your slide chromatic is the standard solo system, key of C harp:
 
To play in another key with the slide permanently in (C#/Db major
scale, or A# minor/Bb minor); or with the slide button occasionally
out, you'd be playing in the key of F# major or D#/Eb minor (6#s,
slide in, 1 note slide out); or possibly B major/G minor (5#s slide in,
2 notes slide out).

Or, you might be staying with the slide permanently in, with occasional
slide out, if you are playing notes that aren't part of the C#/Db scale
or A# minor/Bb minor). Those occasional notes are called "accidentals",
not part of the scale.

Look for the harmonica's key, stamped on the right tab on the top metal
cover of your Hohner #270 slide chromatic harmonica. If you have a
key other than C stamped on your harmonica's cover tab, tell us what
key is listed, and we'll find the correct answer to your question.

Best Regards

John Broecker
 

[SlideMeister]

Playing in D flat on a C Chromatic

[cisco]

WOW........i love Db !

John .......Covers only marked SCX 56.

On line is SCX 56, 14 hole, key of C.
Starts at G3
From Amazon

Once upon a time I had an alto recorder and a lot of key of C music so I learned to read key of C on the recorder ( otherwise known as key of ME ). 
The church organist almost fainted when I was discovered.
My audience didn’t care.
If an instrument ( harmonica ) can play any reasonable range of chromatic notes, why all the fuss ?

[John Broecker]

In my opinion, there is no fuss about slide chromatics, except
the unreliable valves or cracked wood combs.

We should know the slide harp's advantages and disadvantages,
so that we can select the most effective slide harp for our style
of playing.

One standard slide chromatic can be performed (if we are skilled
enough) in all scales derived from the 12-tone chromatic scale.
That may take years of practice: there are probably hundreds of
scales selected from the chromatic scale.

Scales are available on a standard solo system slide harp, on single-
note melodies only (played one note at a time), like other wind
instruments (trumpet, sax, trombone, clarinet, flute,and others).
And, the slide chromatic player must learn exhale and inhale scale
patterns, unlike the other wind instruments (exhale only).

The standard solo system slide chromatics have limited chords available
on the "do", "re", and "ti" scale degrees, of the factory-installed key. The
main reason for playing harps in factory-installed keys other than C, is to
play other chords not available on a factory-installed key of C harp.

If you plan to play only melodies on the slide chromatic, you've picked
the best harmonica type, in my opinion.

Other wind instruments have no chords available, using arpeggios instead.

Best Regards

JB

[cisco]

Yes, “chords” is a distant idea for me because
I’m not there yet and do chords ever appear as part of tabs ?
Rag on guitar chords ?

Any chord champions on youtube ?

[John Broecker]

In harmonica tablature, chords are
occasionally spelled with the chord's
letter and "flavor" (C; Cm (C minor);
C7 etc); usually found above the tabbed
numbers.

Most of those chords are not available
on a solo system slide harp.

There are many chord harp players at
YouTube; but if your slide chromatic is
in the solo system, a few chords are
also available.

Best Regards

JB