I have diatonic special 20 and rockets.now I want a chromatic for beginning .What do you recommend me? And which key ?
Greetings from Belgium.
The Discovery 48 in the key of C is a great point to start, which I recommend for you.
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Hi Twan,
I would definitely agree with Harmonicat. The Hohner Discovery in C offers excellent value for money, as the reeds and reed plates are the same as on considerably more expensive models, and the plastic body means that it is impervious to moisture. You can’t really go wrong with this one. I hope you enjoy playing it 
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Despite all the recommendations I received a year ago on which beginner’s chromatic harmonica to buy, I went with the Hohner 64 Chromatic Harmonica. My reasoning was that I wanted a harmonica I could grow into and not spend more money buying more harmonicas.
the slide on my “Chromonica” enables me to play music in any key – once I learn how. You won’t have to buy different harmonicas to play in any key.
I’ve had a rough time learning the Chromonica, but 8 months into learning it I’m happy with the decision I made. It’s my one and only musical instrument. During the first 6 months, I was less than happy with its tone, but now that I’ve learned better how to play it, I’m delighted with its mellow sound. It’s exactly what I was looking for!
Good luck to you!
P.S. Prior to picking up the Chronomica, I studied music for 20 years – clarinet, piano, and guitar.
Hi Carol,
the Hohner 64 Chromonica is a sound choice and it’s great that you’ve stuck with it through the initial period. As you no doubt know from previous experience, it can be frustrating getting to grips with any musical instrument at first. Persistence is definitely rewarded and the 4 octave range of the 64 chrom opens up possibilities not available with 3 octave instruments. I wish you much joy with it!
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Steve
I can’t make a choice yet
Which of the 2 harmonicas would you recommend to me ?
The Hohner Discovery 48 of the CX 12
I want one with a plastic comb.
But i like the sound of the Toots mellow tone
After a few years playing on Hohner specials 20 and rockets,
What plays the simplest, round or square holes in the chromatic
Greets Twan
George
I can’t make a choice yet
Which of the 2 harmonicas would you recommend to me ?
The Hohner Discovery 48 of the CX 12
I want one with a plastic comb.
But i like the sound of the Toots mellow tone
After a few years playing on Hohner specials 20 and rockets,
What plays the simplest, round or square holes in the chromatic
Greets Twan
Hi Twan,
good question. If you like the sound of the Toots Mellowtone but want a plastic comb, the Discovery 48 sounds more like the Mellowtone than the CX-12 does. For me, the hole form on both of these models is comfortable to play (Discovery: square holes but with rounded corners, CX-12: round holes) in comparison to the old style square holes on the 270 Chromonica, for example. A significant difference is that the Discovery has smaller channel openings in the slide itself (up&down hole placement) in comparison to the CX-12 (diagonal hole placement). That’s one reason why the CX-12 is louder. I also find that despite the longer slide traverse, the CX-12 has a faster slide action and is more airtight. So personally I’d probably go for the CX-12.
Hope that helps,
Steve
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thanks Steve
For this info.
I’m going to buy a hohner CX 12.
too bad that the Jazz is so much more expensive.
Glad if it helped. I know what you mean about the Jazz. The narrower mouthpiece is much closer to the prototypes we originally tested in the early 1990s and I prefer it myself. But the standard version is a great harmonica, I hope you enjoy it
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Dear Steve, in the meantime I also bought a new Hohner 280 -64C.
Nice harmonica, but:
I warm it up, wet my lips and the mouthpiece.
yet this begins to slide quickly, less smoothly.
can I possibly put a product on my lips that does not harm the harmonica?
or do you have another solution?
greetings Twan
Hi Twan,
people ask about this quite frequently, but to the best of my knowledge there isn’t really any product which is suitable. Lip gloss etc. won’t help and the risk is that anything you put on your lips is likely to find its way into the instrument, gumming up the slide assembly and potentially even the reeds and windsaver valves. The best solution is to regularly moisten your lips with your tongue while playing - most music contains pauses, where you can take the harmonica out of your mouth and quickly lick your lips. This is what everyone I know does.
I hope that helps,
regards, Steve
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I play violin and attracted to learning chromatic harmonica. I have very small hands. Specifications for the 14 hole Meisterklasse say it’s 6.8” long. Does that include the slide button?
How important is being able to form a seal with your hands? (I even need to play a very small violin). I want to learn harmonica to play old time songs in an amateur band but also try my classical pieces. Guess I will have a disadvantage at least (story of my life!)
I have already ordered my Meisterklasse…
Hi Maggie,
I would assume that the length doesn’t include the slide button, but don’t have one here to check.
The good news is that forming a seal with your hands is not as significant with the chromatic harmonica as it is with the blues harp. The hands are used to a certain degree to dampen the sound, and for tremolo effects, but total enclosure isn’t really possible even for people with large hands. So you should be fine in that respect. And as the tonal range of the MK chrom is the same as the violin, you should be able to adapt plenty of music with which you’re already familiar to your new instrument.
I hope this helps, and wish you much joy on your musical journey
Steve
Thanks Steve, that’s very good to hear! I had seen some advice on YouTube about how to hold the chromatic harmonica showing the left hand with web between thumb & forefinger right around the left side of instrument, but have since seen the very informative (and entertaining) series by the young virtuoso in Hong Kong in which he doesn’t hold it like that anyway.
I’ve not played a harmonica before and realise there’s an enormous amount to learn. Hopefully I have the discipline needed to succeed! Have always loved their sound. I have also ordered the Method book by Max de Aloe.
Thanks for your prompt and encouraging reply.
There is no “right” way to hold the harmonica, the only thing that really matters is, what works for you? I’m not familiar with the method book you mention but there’s a ton of stuff available online if that doesn’t do it for you. People often underestimate the complexity of the instrument, but in my opinion the chromatic is actually a lot simpler than the diatonic even though it doesn’t look that way at first glance. Enjoy!
I’m enjoying a Hohner CX12. A bit of an adjustment die to size and shape of mouthpiece but really great sound when you get it correct.
Steve, The book I mentioned is good for people like me who can read at least the treble clef. Gives basic technique & exercises, then the many tunes included (with helpful audio for many on website) are jazz oriented. Not so into his type of jazz yet but today I managed to feel my way through some other easy tunes I know and I’m really enjoying it. Only had the harmonica for a week today. Some notes still tricky but starting to get them.
Think I’ll really enjoy playing this little instrument! And so handy to take along with you!
The “Jazz” version of the CX 12 has a thinner mouthpiece, which is more comfortable for me.
That sounds great. As I said earlier, the chromatic harmonica is easier to learn than the 10-hole diatonic, because all notes basically function the same way, and it sounds like you’ve chosen a suitable method book, so go for it! Its portability is certainly one of the cool aspects of the instrument 