Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

I have this song that I wish to play on a 16 hole chromatic harmonica. I first heard it on YouTube. I have figured out all the notes (at least to my satifaction) and now I am trying to play it. 

The song repeats a similar melody three times. Its notes require two full octaves. The tempo is a little high for me, so I have to move up and down the register rather quickly. Wet lips/mouthpiece help reduce friction and make you glide smoothly. But by the time I get to the second part, neither my lips nor the mouthpiece remain wet any more. I start facing significant resistance. continue reading...

I enjoy playing my harmonica to jam tracks using my brand new bulletini mic and laney cub (thanks to David Barrett's recommendations) for friends and family and would like to invest in a sound system to support this.  Can you recommend a speaker system to play jam tracks over?  For example, should I look in to purchasing JBL sound system or PA system?

Thank you,

Anthony Vaccaro

I know, I know - it depends.... but roughly?

For a guy playing 1 hour a day, intermediate level?

Hello Winslow,

Why do most jazz players use a chromatic harmonica?

Thanks

Hi Winslow.

I've stumbled upon your post in Harp-L, where you mentioned that Lee Oskar harmonicas are not Equal Temperament, but close to it.

Would it be fair to say that if Lee Oskar's are "almost" equal temperament, then the cords are not very "smooth", and thus, it is not the best choice for Chicago Blues with lot of slaps and pulls?

Hey Winslow,

My A-harmonica requires large embochure for holes 1-2 to produce good tone. Does it mean that lower-key harmonicas will require even larger embochure? Will it will get harder as I go lower?

I am also curious why 3-blow does not require as much embochure effort as 2-draw, it's same tone, isn't it?

Hello sir, 

Ive been listening  to some good recorded harp music an I begin to listen more carefully.  I hear very cool sounds which seem to sound raspy, perhaps a bit kazoo like or a almost a growl.  My tones dont approach anything like that.  I had thought it was made by cupping but Im undable to produce those hot bluesy tones.  Im wondering if these sounds show perhaps partial hole coverage ...which would be way beyound my 3 year skill level.... dont know.

Any guidance?

gary k continue reading...

Hi Wnislow,

Can you recommmend an app that I can use to tune my harmonic?

Thanks

I have a Special 20 in the Key of A.  It is 7 months old.  The two hole draw no longer makes any sound.  A few days ago I noticed it would not sound when I first started playing, but after 5 or 10 minutes it would be fine.  Now it doesn't sound at all.  The 2 hole blow is working fine.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

Hello Winslow,

I learned to bend with the Hohner Marine Band. Recently, I got the Yonberg D2 Typhoon and it is like I never even bent before. After several days of practicing I still can't bend. 

Both harmonicas are in the Kay of A .Yonberg has steel reeds vs bronse reeds of the Marine Band. Yonberg is also a well airtight harmonica whichi thought should help in bending.

The question is, how much influence does it make a diferent brand and whether it is worth fighting the new harmonica and is better to stick the one that works? continue reading...