What is the difference between a chromatic and diatonic harmonica?
A harmonica with 10-holes is known as diatonic harmonica. Diatonic Harmonica is designed to play in a single key. Whereas chromatic harmonica uses a button to activate the sliding bar which redirect the air from the hole in the mouthpiece to the selected reed-plate. Chromatic harmonica has more than 10 holes like 12-14-16 and more. You can get excellent collection of harmonica at Honkin Harmonica Shop UK.
They are really two different instruments. See our General Overview section for an in-depth look at the two. Most good players specialize in one or the other. It is less common to find players that excel on both, but they are out there. • Is it possible to play blues on an instrument like chromatic harmonica where bending is very limited? It sure is. If bending was a prerequisite for playing the blues, then there would be no such thing as blues piano. • My interest seems to lie more in playing songs and melodies (like you would on a piano), rather than accompaniment or blues jamming. Would a chromatic harmonica be better for me than a diatonic? Yes. Since a chromatic harmonica has all the notes available, not unlike a piano, you might be better off with the chromatic for what you want to do. Visit our Store for chromatic harmonica recommendations. • Are wood harmonicas better than the plastic ones? No. Quality wise it tends to be just the opposite. Most of the cheaper wood harmonicas l
