The chromatic is mostly used for jazz, classical, and pop music- The chromatic harmonica is typically used in jazz, classical, pop, and music where the melodies require more than a 7-note scale (like the one on a standard diatonic).Reading standard music notation makes more sense and is easier on the chromatic harmonica than on the diatonic. Many accomplished chromatic players are able to read standard music notation which eliminates the need for song tab. Reading music and song tab for the chromatic- The chromatic harmonica hole layout is similar (sometimes referred to as 'Solo' tuning) to the diatonic hole layout (referred to as 'Richter' tuning), but not the same, so song tablature is different.For Chromatic Instruction, songs, and information, visit the chromatic harmonica section of this website. The chromatic harmonica is not appropriate for all of the instruction/tabs at this site- Much of the instruction and information at Harmonics is geared towards diatonic harmonica, but a lot of the techniques and theory are applicable for both diatonic and chromatic harmonicas.This allows you to play any scale, in any key, but you can't bend notes very well on this instrument so you don't get the same 'bluesy' sound as on the diatonic. What is a chromatic harmonica?- The chromatic harmonica has a button on the side which allows you to play the normal major scale, and with the button depressed, gives you all the half steps or notes in between.Top: Lee Oskar diatonic, Bottom: Hohner chromatic. People who play the diatonic harmonica- Players associated with the diatonic would include Bob Dylan, Neil Young, James Cotton, Sonny Boy Williamson, Mick Jagger, Little Walter, Paul Butterfield, Mickey Raphael, John Popper, Charlie Musselwhite, Huey Lewis, Jimmy Reed, Sonny Terry, Steven Tyler, and so on.It is the 'bending' sound of the diatonic that attracts most people to it. Bending gives you additional notes on the diatonic- The diatonic doesn't have easy access to all the possible notes like the chromatic harmonica but many of the notes that are not naturally found can be acquired by 'bending' certain draw (inhale) and blow (exhale) notes.Click here for the Terms & Definitions section and get the musical definitions of the words diatonic and chromatic. is called the diatonic harmonica (blues harp type). Although the chromatic is extremely versatile, the harmonica which is predominantly used in blues, rock, country, folk, etc.

The diatonic is mostly used for blues, folk, rock- There are two main types of harmonicas (sometimes called 'harps'), the chromatic harmonica and diatonic harmonica.It should help you confirm that you have selected the correct type of harmonica for the style of music and type of sound that interests you. Here is a comparison of the diatonic and chromatic harmonicas.

Chromatic vs diatonic