Help! I'm Green!

[Coca Cola]

Hello to All!
 I知 new to Chromatic Harmonica and new to this Forum. I知 happy to be here and have enjoyed reading your informative conversations. I知 60 years old and have been playing acoustic guitar since I was a kid. I have also dabbled in diatonic harmonicas, but just decided to learn the Chromatic. I have recently acquired a Hohner Super Chromonica in the key of regular C. I would like to have what I need to cover the spectrum, but, like most people, I live on a budget. I want to buy another Chromatic Harmonica but I知 wondering which key would be best along with my regular C; should I get a Tenor C or a G, or something else? I would very much appreciate your input. Thanks!
btw My email is gxhale@yahoo.com

[CCristian]

Hi and welcome.
I play only with "regular C harmonicas", yes how a lot of members also I have several harmonicas, not only one, but all are in C and I don't think that I'll buy someone in different key... but I'm sure that I'll buy another, and maybe another, and may be another, and may be..... 
Yes I'm addicted to buy harmonicas 
Bye
CCristian

[Coca Cola]

Sounds like you have found true happiness I think I will like the regular C, but I might want to go to the lower notes now and then   Thank You for the reply!

[CCristian]

Sounds like you have found true happiness ...

Yes, is true  .

I think I will like the regular C, but I might want to go to the lower notes now and then   ...

For the lower notes, you can try a tenor (but always in C, yes below, but ever C) or an 16 holes (4 octaves), in this last case,  I've the Suzuki SCX64 and I find it fantastic.
But I leave to speak the senior members, my experience is very low,  I'm a novice 
Bye
CCristian

[Bluesy]

Welcome, Coca Cola! You're just at about the right age to develop a vibrant and lucrative career in harmonica playing, with your ambition your only barrier to fame and fortune.
And about chromatic harmonicas being in the key of "C" - no offense of course, but in fact they are not "in" any key. They can be played in any key. Designating a harmonica as being in "C" because that's its lowest note is not correct. What key is a piano in?

Best,

Bluesy/

[Coca Cola]

Thanks! The good Lord gave me an ear for music (Although I don't read music fluently) hopefully I can pick up on the Chromatic before I'm playing a Heavenly Harp  I understand what you mean about the piano and the key of C; but my question is more related to octaves, i.e. regular C should cover the high end, but what would be the best way to cover the low octaves? CCristian suggested Tenor C, which I take to be a lower octave C. I've read that many Chromatic players buy C and G. I assume G only means that it starts with G and ends with G but is still tuned in C  Anyway, I'm thinking in terms of octaves 

[Bluesy]

I think Seydel has a workable designation for how a chrome is layed out; when the bottom note is C they say it is configured in C. When the bottom note is the G below that C they say it is configured in G. There are other designations used by players; opera tuning, tenor tuning.
I have a 12-hole Seydel Deluxe configured in G. It starts on the G below C. Every note on the harp is useable and none of the top notes are squeaky.
Good luck in your quest. The guys around here are helpful and friendly.

Bluesy/TomC

[Grizzly]

What everyone else has said so far. I'd add, Seydel calls their 12 hole C starting on G an Orchestra tuned harmonica. Its top note is an F#. While a Tenor or a 64 will give you the low range, there are several 14 hole C harmonicas in a wide price range that give you a low G and the high D that the 12 holes have葉hree and a half octaves. In my opinion, the Suzuki SCX 56 is the biggest bang for the buck.

Tom

[Grizzly]

BTW, despite what Bluesy said about key, harmonica makers designate their 12 hole instruments by the name of the lowest note. The scale pattern is the same for all regardless of key. The few exceptions are the 14 hole harmonicas, starting on G but always in C, starting the pattern of blows and draws on the third hole; so-called Orchestra Tuned 12 hole C harmonicas starting on a low G; and the Chrometta 10, the only 10 hole C that starts on a low G.

Pianos are built in the key of C. You can play a C Major scale using just the white keys, no sharps or flats (the black keys). You can play in any key, but you gotta call it something. C it is. Playing all white keys is like playing a C harmonica without using the button. My personal opinion is that it's not worth philosophizing about.

Tom

[Coca Cola]

I'm gonna go with another Hohner 270 Super Chromonica 12 holer. If I understand the description correctly from Musician's Friend, the Tenor C starts one octave below  middle C. I'm assuming that middle C and "Regular C" is the same thing? However, if the G configuration starts at G below middle C would that give me more low range than a Tenor C? I guess I'm trying to understand is how to get the best and most low to high octave range from two harmonicas.

[Grizzly]

The Tenor is an octave below the regular C. The G is in between, but is not a C harmonica. The two Cs will give you the biggest range.

Tom

[Coca Cola]

Thanks

[LJ ATKISON]

TENOR 270 IS A GOOD ONE. THEIR MY "KNOCK-AROUND" HARMONICAS.
ONE STAYS IN THE TRUCK.

LJ

[A.J.Fedor]

"I just got the (Regular C) Hohner 270 Super Chromonica 12 holer in my hands today  I'm loving it! It's like all the annoying things about the diatonic harmonica are not there! Not as bluesy as the diatonic, but wide open for melodies. It sounds like the two draw is gasping a bit, but I'm not gonna mess with it for now. I've got a lot to learn, but I know one thing. I want more Chromatic harmonicas!  Next one will be Tenor C" 

How do we conquer the world??
I'll settle for "One at a time!" 
Ha Ha!