1. Breath Control - Harmonica is the only wind instrument that can do blowing as well as drawing while others can only do blowing. Because of this unique capability, it is easier to effect breath control . With the chromatic harmonica, somes notes (in F (drawing) and C (blowing)) are interchangeable by applying the slide (e.g F becomes blowing and C becomes drawing) which add advantages in musical expression and executing fast passages of notes.

2. Tone Color - Harmonica is one of the musical instruments that can change (bend) the sound of a note down to 1/2 of the original note, a unigue feature adding life and charm in music, especially in blue/rock. Since the mouth piece of a harmonica is closest to the sound production souce, The sound of a note can be changed by applying tension or pressure of the muscles of inner mouth, the cheek, tongue or the shape of the mouth, lips and jaw. Other tone color can be achieved by using the hands and tongue blocking techniques. The tone color of other instruments such as oboe, flute, clarinet, recorder etc, is, in my opinion, pale in comparision with the harmonica in ultimate musical expression. However, the metallic sound produced by a harmonica will tire listeners' ears if it is played over a long period of time. Experienced players know how to muffle and soften the sound by applying cupped hands on notes, especially on the high ones.

3. Double stops and chords - Harmonica is the only wind instrument that can produce double stops and some times with chords. However not all pieces with double stops or chords can be played except those that are composed solely for the chromatic harmonica (About 40 prominnent composers have composed classical pieces for the chromatic harmonica)

4. The Choice of Repertoire (music pieces) - Apart from pieces composed for the chromatic harmonica, the choices of repertoire are abundant such as pieces from the violin, oboe, flute, clarinet, recorder etc. Personally, I favour very much pieces from oboe music because its range of beautiful notes often fits perfectly for the chromatic harmonica (Usually on the 4th to 9th holes of a 12 hole harmonica). Baroque pieces for wind instrument and violin are very suitable repertoire of which the beauties are indescibable.

I asked Larry Adler once, "If chromatic harmonica existed at the time when Beethoven and Mozart lived, do you think they would compose music for it. He replied, "Absolutely, especially Mozart who composed music for odd instruments like glass harmonica and fagott!)

Anthony Lau (As always, no links to websites- Webmaster) 4th May, 2003, Vancouver, Canada

However, a few others do use the inhale breath as well. Not many, and the only other one that's common here in U.S. isn't even really an instrument - whistling (as in, with your lips).

The second thing is... I disagree strongly with you saying that the flute as only one tone color. Because it does not have any true mouthpiece, the sound comes purely from your lips, mouth cavity, throat, and breath support. Any adjustments there will alter the sound. For some reason I cannot comprehend, not all - or even many - flautists utilize this, but quite a few very distinct timbres can be made as well as an almost infinite amount of shading within these. That's basically the reason why I play the flute.

currently playing:
hohner super chromonica 48 keys of g and c, hohner marine band g-a, and hohner blues harp g-a as well. and lemme tell you blues on chromatic is hard work.