I’ve put this topic up because there are forum members who are proficient with chromatics; other who are just dipping their toes into them; some who might want to have a go and wonder how while others who wouldn’t touch a chromatic with the proverbial barge pole so probably won’t open this topic. This is just an opportunity to gather together bits of chromatic specific knowledge; wisdom and crack some myths that might help interested players; it’s not judgemental or even promotional. Being an open forum, having started the topic I’m going to see if it’s of any interest so the ball is in all of your courts 
Jay1
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Well first off, I truly believe that playing the Chromonica has 100% made me a better more creative harp player, especially when it comes to tongue blocking and breathing. I think other diatonic players also agree on this point. For me it’s become almost symbiotic one informs the other and visa versa
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I use tongue blocking on diatonics (if by that you mean covering unused holes) for blues and fiddle tunes. On the Chromatic my tongue is not on the mouthpiece but rather stays behind my teeth for articulation (attacking and stopping notes). Sometimes on diatonics too.
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Sometimes my mouth gets dry and sticks, or the Chromatic slide slows or sticks, so I use a little spray bottle of distilled water.
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Thanks Guys for starting the ball rolling. It’s very rare for me to pick up a diatonic so the relationship between the two instruments is interesting, please keep the posts coming. Jay1
I’m starting to feel a bit more confident in my playing and I might give the forerunner i have another go.
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@Piglet Which Forerunner do you have 1 or 2 and in what key? As you’ve got it why not give it a go? They are both pretty good out of the box. I guess you’re fairly new to chromatic so to start with treat it like a solo tuned diatonic, leave the button alone until you’re used to a chrom’s size, weight and solo tuning. The button can come later. Hopefully @Andy2 will jump in as he’s a recent convert. There’s already a lot on the forum, you could probably spend a whole day using the search facility for chromatic but if you need help just ask.
@FreetheReeds the Chromatic slide slows or sticks What chromatic are you using? I know it sounds odd but sometimes the mouthpiece screws need a 1/4 turn to the left or it’s possible the slide needs cleaning and smoothing, I make sure the cut-outs are smooth using a watchmaker’s triangular file then use wet&dry on both sides of the slide starting with 400 and going down to 1,000 or ever 2000 finishing off with toothpaste before giving everything a good wash, but then I enjoy mucking about with things, it’s my relaxation, so probably go over-the-top on what’s really needed. Jay1
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I use both, pursing I use for exactly the same reasons attack, speed,
I’ve found a guy on the net, via another harp player, he will take any Chromonica apart even vintage Jobs and refurbish or customize them, all for £25 per harp which I think is pretty reasonable I was thinking of sending my harps off to him I’ve got a vintage harp in need of repair too.
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@Andy2 If you have the time it’s more satisfying to do them or if necessary learn how to do them yourself. I wouldn’t want to do a proper refurbishment and/or customise for £25 but he could be someone who just likes tinkering with harps, I’m a bit like that 
Jay1
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It’s a forerunner 1 in c i got about 25 quid i picked up on a whim. It plays fine but i was pretty new when i got it and decided i was going to focus on diatonic until i had the instrument figured out a little better.
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My tone is a lot better with tongue blocking and faster depending on the song.
I’ve got one of those and a forerunner 2.0 in A, and an Old chrometta which needs reeds replacing @Jay1 the guy who does has a full workshop and comes highly recommended, so I might send him my old Chrometta see what he can do with it, if I’m pleased I’ll send him my Forerunners to improve, to be honest I can’t do it we only have a small flat and there’s absolutely no where I can do stuff like that. I was using my wife’s makeup table, but it’s antique and I’m worried about damaging it.
@Piglet There’s nothing wrong with a Forerunner 1 in fact I prefer the cover plates to the Forerunner 2 and use my F1 for session work. The ONLY way to get to grips with chromatic is to play it, Just start by playing in C or Am (draw holes -3 & -7) or blues in D (3rd posn. draw holes -1 & -5).
@Andy2 Older chromettas had nailed reed plates and a mouthpiece like a picket fence 
but some people like them. let us know how it goes. @bubby.graves I envy you for some strange reason tongue blocking makes me retch, don’t know why, nor does my doc but that’s what happens 
Jay1
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I’ve been focusing on Chromatic since SPAH last summer. I’ve been diving into Harmonicats music, got together with two other guys to form a trio, and am learning how to play classical music on it.
I also like the Stevie Wonder & Shane Sagar style of using the chromatic in a style that aligns more with the diatonic harmonica.
Got started with chromatic by taking lessons from Winslow (author of Harmonica for Dummies). Stayed with it for about 6 months then stopped and went back to diatonic.
Got into Trochilus this spring, which made me again interested in the chromatic. This time, it has stuck and I foresee I’ll spend most my time on it.
It is both easier and harder than diatonic. It is easier to play in any key, easier to bend consistently across its range, etc. But that ease means you can tackle more difficult music, some of which can be very difficult. But you don’t have to.
I really love it.
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@Hogie.Harmonica Hi Peter your ‘Got into Trochilus this spring, which made me again interested in the chromatic. This time, it has stuck and I foresee I’ll spend most my time on it.’ I seriously looked at a solo tuned Trochilus, not tried it but from the pictures the mouthpiece looks square as do the holes. East:Top mouthpiece being half moon shape and with round holes is my preference so I’ll stick with those, shame the Trochilus looks a nice instrument. Which one(s) do you have? Jay1
It was the blue trochilus that got me into playing chromatic.
I strongly favor the Blue Trochilus. I also have red ones, two Solo-tuned ones (C and A), and a C6. I also have a blue one that Sonny modified for me so that the slide moves the note up a whole step.
I like the stock blue ones the best.
I also have Forerunners. I don’t love them but I do use them sometimes. Ultimately for Solo tuning I strongly prefer valves, I don’t even like the half-valved chromatic I have, even though I know they can be used to great effect.
@Hogie, do you think the Trochilus informed the Chromatic because it’s diatonic?
Not exactly sure what you are asking. If you mean, did the Trochilus inform my interest in chromatic because it is diatonic, no. I think it is just that I spend more time using a slide, internalizing the mapping of the notes, especially in the middle octave.
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@Hogie.Harmonica Peter I suppose it’s horses for courses, some people will swear by a brand or type of harmonica, chromatic or otherwise, while others will swear at it and still more will have to have a go out of curiosity. You don’t love Forerunners but use them, I can’t say I ‘love’ them, they just do what I need them to do as a part-time session player and I find them comfortable to play, so I use them. You prefer valves whereas I don’t, hardly ever using my CX12s or other valved chromatics these days but there’s no right or wrong. If the blue Trochilus encouraged you into playing chromatic (and I’ve seen some of your videos, you certainly can play them) then that’s great, it may even encourage others whereas the thought of a bigger chromatic and some of the even bigger prices might put people off having a go. It’s for that reason I usually suggest an East:Top T10/40 or Kmise 10/40 (they are identical) at between £15 ($18.50) & £20 ($25) as a first step into solo tuning and chromatics. An East:Top t10/40 is still my carry everywhere chromatic and probably my favorite to play. So whatever opens up the opportunity to add chromatic to other harmonica skills, bring it on. Jay1