What is Easy on Diatonic and DIfficult on Chromatic?

[nadlerus]

What do you find the hardest thing on Chromatic?
https://youtube.com/shorts/PRccJfu6x2U?feature=share
Neil Adler

[John Broecker]

I don't know if we are permitted
to compare diats and chroms at
SlideMeister.

Your video, linked above, is an
excellent review. Anyone may
access your video at your video.

Best Regards, Stay Healthy

JB

[SlideMeister]

What's not allowed is the "superiority" of one over the other. Of course, I already know which is, but that too, is a matter of opinion, and it also has traditionally fomented controversy; that's why we "don't go there" much. This question however seems harmless enough.

[Age]

Oh, dat's easy:
Generic Chicago Blues
IMPO of course.

[John Broecker]

All chromatic notes (12 tones per scale) are available
on the standard solo system slide harmonica.

They are also available on the standard 10-hole Richter
diatonic, with mastery of bending and overblowing
techniques. Without the extra techniques, the diatonic
lacks a few scale tones in holes 2, 3 and 10.

The standard 12-hole solo system slide chromatic
has 3 complete consecutive major scales' range,
factory-installed, slide out; and another 3 consecutive
major scales' range with the slide in, a half step
higher in pitch.

The 10-hole Richter diatonic has only one factory-
installed major key, in holes 4-7. The other holes
are for accompaniment, not available on the slide
chromatic (solo system).

The chromatic was designed for melody playing, not
chordal playing. The diatonic was designed for simple
chords, with melody and accompaniment available.

Best Regards, Stay Healthy

JB

[Gnarly He Man]

The question was what do I find hard about playing the chromatic.
I run out of breath.
Also, sharp keys give me trouble.
I retune diatonic harmonicas for more options.
Just embossed the Em Dorian (Brendan would call it an A Power Chromatic) to get an overblow Bb, the one note not available as a given or a draw bend.
Diatonics are real easy once I retune them.

[Keith]

What do you find the hardest thing on Chromatic?

Remembering when to push the button..... 

(But I'm getting better- slowly.)

[Keith]

Personally, I don't find anything easier on a diatonic - I find the holes too small, & too close together; plus they have missing notes & only one key.

[lflisboa]

Diatonic and chromatics are different animals. For me:
1) It's hard to get that "raw, dirty" that reminds a honking saxophone sound you can get on diatonic.
2) To play all keys (different breath patterns, considering that I'd just change a diatonic key).

[nadlerus]

Age got it.
'The Blues'
Generally easy on Diatonic, but to recreate it on Chromatic is a feat.
No only bends, slurs, but to move about the blues scale on Chromatic is challenging.
The video example was a solo on 'Route 66' and playing blues/Dorian combinations was a slow learning curve.
Neil

[beads]

In my opinion, the only thing easier on a diatonic is cleaning the thing. And even that isn't easier if you have 12 harps to cover all the keys.

[John Broecker]

Carrying the 10-hole diatonic in your pocket is
easier than carrying the 10-hole slide chromatic
in your pocket.

JB

[Grizzly]

Carrying the 10-hole diatonic in your pocket is
easier than carrying the 10-hole slide chromatic
in your pocket.

JB

Depends on the pocket.

T

[wolfman]

   

[Age]

Carrying the 10-hole diatonic in your pocket is
easier than carrying the 10-hole slide chromatic
in your pocket.

JB

Depends on the pocket.

T

And what you'd really rather play.

[John Broecker]

I like to play tunes/songs that
don't rupture my independence
(that don't take long to learn).

Best Regards, Stay Healthy

JB