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A diatonic harmonica is a harmonica that is set in a key signature. This is so people can do improvised harmonica solos just by randomly blowing and it sounds great (or at least in key). Yes I know, your probably thinking as I was when I found this out, "So those country guys that play harmonica and play guitar at the same time are not actually that skilled?". Yes that's correct.

A chromatic harmonica contains all the semitones. This requires some brains as, unless you want to play atonal (with no key), you have to know where to blow (catchy). People would use this if they wanted to changed key during a piece or if they wanted to use accidentals, or maybe they just want to prove to their friends how amazing they are.

Hope that answers it.

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Q: What is the difference between a chromatic and a diatonic harmonica?
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