Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

Hi Winslow! I wanted to ask your thoughts about holding the chromatic harmonica for playing different styles other than blues. I see players like Cy Leo, Robert Bonfiglio and Larry Adler holding the harmonica different from guys like Brendan Power, Stevie Wonder. etc. Do you think this "classical" grip is important to learn? I find it a little bit uncomfortable for my right wrist but those guys are professionals so what do I know? 

Hello Winslow,

Would a Hohner 364/24 be the best harp to relicate Sonny Boy II's sound on recordings like "Keep It To Yourself" and "Bye Bye Bird"?

I have a Rocket Low F that I love. I'm thinking of a Low D or Low C. I saw on a Reddit post where you said Sonny Boy II used a Low D "extensively in Europe" and Low C "for his Chess recording of Bye, Bye Bird".

Or, should I consider a Brendan Power Lucky 13?

Another consideration: Do I even need a 12-hole and should I consider a Rocket Low C or D?

Thanks!

Hello Winslow,

I hope you are keeping well.

I have a relatively new 12 hole chromatic that buzzes on the second and third holes when I first start playing, but it goes away after a few minutes of playing.  Does that sound like the windsavers?  Is there a quick fix beyond replacing the affected windsavers, or should I just live with it unless it becomes too annoying.

Thanks in advance.

Geoffrey.

Hello, I was thinking about getting a hohner 364. I thought It was CEG CEG CEG CEG DGB DGB DFA BDF but It looks like a low harmonica + 2 hole very weird ( 11 and 12) https://www.hohner.de/fileadmin/documents/instruments/harmonicas/hohner-harmonicas-tuning-chart.pdf continue reading...

Hello !

I'd like to know the differences in sound / tone of these 3 Hohner models. Or any other comments that would come to mind. Thank you !

Hello,

I read everywhere that playing too loud ruins the harmonica. However, when listening for example to Joe Filisko lessons, I think that my understanding of "playing loud" may be very underestimated.

If I want to test how loud my harmonicas can sound, how can I know when it becomes too loud?

Hello, I'm looking for the best way to fix notes that are sticking on a 270 super chromonica deluxe. I've taken the cover plates off and used a small section of a grocery bag to slide under the reeds and windsavers, but it seems to be a short term fix. Any help would be much welcome. Thx

I bought a Honer Golden Melody in the key of C, but David's program is followed on an A harmonica. Since this is not my only hobby, now I have the budget for the cheapest one, but it can bend the tone... which you recommend. These are available in my city.

chord blues ten harmonicahohner sx a hn1020hohner a silver star

Happy Thanksgiving Winslow. Anything you would add to this study flow of learning a song?

Listen (Entire Track)
- What makes it cool? Some students like to follow along with the sheet music after listening to it a couple of times to see the arc of the song.

Chunk (Loop each lick at slow tempo)
- Listen
- Pause music and learn lick from notation for: notes, technique, and basic rhythm (as you remember it)
- Play music and "Listen Once, Play Once" until you get the lick (don’t always play on top of the music, you’ll miss details and ingrain mistakes)

Chain Phrases continue reading...

Many thanks for the 3b tuning chart. In section 3 you showed a more complete chart that can be derived for tuning, low keys, and experimentation. I wondered if you had that chart handy by any chance. If not handy don't worry, I can always construct in excel. 

Thank you