[Harp-L] Chromatic harmonica

[Vern]

For most genres, the chromatic is easier than the diatonic because all of the 4-hole octaves are alike.  Remember that the only blow notes are CEG and all of the others DFAB are draw.  You will find the hole choices very intuitive.  If your goal  is to play blues then it is worth the extra effort to learn to bend the missing fa and la in the low octave of the diatonic.

Vern

> On Jan 12, 2026, at 4:26 PM, JOSEPH LEONE via Harp-L <harp-l at xxxxx> wrote:
> 
> Da Neill, an absolute beginner CAN start on chromatic. And while a diatonic can show you the 'rudiments', to get 'accomplished' you will need to put in MUCH more effort. Zo, anyone who considers the diatonic to be easier is misinformed.
> A chromatic will give you all the notes all the time.
> 
> As for sites, Slidemeister (all chromatic all the time) is virtually gone, and wouldn't have been much help learing. 'Some' books might help. But any piano music book can be used. I recommend key of C to start. 
> As you progress, you can write your OWN music. You (basically) write notes on a music sheet and then play what you wrote. This will teach you to read if you don't read already,
> If you do read, you're good to go. Try not to use the button a lot until you are comfortable with ONE key first. C, then maybe F, then maybe G, then maybe Bb, then maybe Eb. And like that.
> 
> If, and that's a big if, you can find a teacher, that's an option. But it can be done alone if one is serious.
> 
> smo-joe (Joseph Olszewejeski) Leone / multi instrumentalist=retired. 
> 
> 
>> On 01/12/2026 2:31 PM EST Neill Traczykowski <chippytits19 at xxxxx> wrote:
>> 
>> 
>> Hi
>> I got a chromatic harmonica for Xmas, was wondering if an absolute beginner
>> can start on a chromatic harmonica? Most websites use a diatonic harmonica
>> and say it's the easiest way to start for a beginner. Can you recommend any
>> websites for a chromatic harmonica?