Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

Hi

i have a problem with the hole 1 draw: i can't play it loud.

I put my tongue the lower possible and drop my jar the max i can, to get a good tune. But the sound in hole 1 draw isnt as loud as the other draw holes.

Wheun i close a litle bit my mouth, in other words, when i don't drop the jar the max neither put my tongue the lower possible, I can play the hole 1 draw louder, but the tune ins't as good.

So i have to choose between playing hole 1 draw loud with poor tune or playing it low with good tune. It happens in several harmonica (A, Bb, C...) continue reading...

 First and most important, I really apreciate all the help I get from Y'all.. 

  When I pick up my chromatic I play straight blow and draws to warm it up.. Then after a while I press the slide button.. some times it moves other times It requires a little more pressure.. I bought slide oil and valve oil.. But I am unsure if I should use them? They seem to be petrolium based? continue reading...

I'm interested in this, Suzuki Promaster Harmonica MR-350 model and was wondering if you're or anyone has an opinion on it. One of the man reasons I'm interested besides it being valved is its countoured shape. Thanks

HI!

I have just bough a C Harp (Hohner Bluesband Enthusiast). For some weird reason, im not being able to get a proper sounf from holes 1,2 and 3.

So far I have been using a marineband C harp. There the first 3 holes sound well.

Is the harp i bough faulty? Or am I doing something very wrong?

Regards 

Amartya

HI!

I have just bough a C Harp (Hohner Bluesband Enthusiast). For some weird reason, im not being able to get a proper sounf from holes 1,2 and 3.

So far I have been using a marineband C harp. There the first 3 holes sound well.

Is the harp i bough faulty? Or am I doing something very wrong?

Regards 

Amartya

 I have a build up on my slide plates? I do brush my teeth prior to practicing.. But still there is a gummy build up that  is hard to remove.Some of the build up has hardened.It is not very thick.. I am using alcohol.. But it is having a hard time cutting it? What should I use?

Hey Winslow,

I've seen you mention trying out the Lucky 13 on a few different forums/threads. Would you be willing to share your thoughts in a bit more detail? What are your thoughts on the harp in general? How about for a beginner working through the LOA? Would it really be a solid replacement for 2 harps (a regular and low)? Ignoring the extra holes, how does it play compared to the high end harps by other manufacturers? continue reading...

As a beginner im using Hohner blues bender harmonica. Mont of holes on harmonica are working fine except it is hard to drow on hole number  7, 8, 9. It require more than normal pressure of air to produce the sound on these holes. Hole no 10 is very less responsive, it require huge amunt of air in-out to produce the sound . Drow on hole no 7, 8, 9 give late responce and it requre to inhale more than normal air. My question is : is something wrong with my harmonica? something wrong with my reed plates? why they are not responsive like others holes? continue reading...

 I am wondering how to get the back side of mouth pieces,slide plate,blank plate,more clean. I scrubbed them but still a residue persists. maybe even lightly corroding.. They are 20 plus years old.. I already deburred some sharp edges and metal high spots.. This made them work better. They are still discolored and a residue / build up on these items..

 I purchased a metal polish that is non toxic, can I use this to polish them? Or is there a better suggestion that you can offer? Thank you.

Hi,

I have been playing blues harmonica for almost 4 years now. I tried different harmonicas along the way, but by far my favorite is the Hohner Golden Melody. I love the way it feels and plays.

I still have a feeling that I should be playing a different more bluesy tuned harmonica because of all the reviews I have seen of people talking about the golden meody not being a harmonica for the blues because it should only be played for melodies. I find that the chords sound different, yeah, but sounds good to me... continue reading...