Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

Hi Winslow,

How do you make a extremely stiff 1896 Marine Band out of the box harp play easier?

Hi Winslow, last night I caught the Blues Traveler concert featuring John Popper in downtown San Jose (prox 2,000 fans). I was pleased to see that John kept his weight under control. His wonderful vocals and harmonica playing were classic Popper.

John continues to play Hohner (out of the box I suspect) Special 20 harmonicas. In fact, he tossed three of them into the audience --if only I stood another 8' to my right ==>

His amplification came from bridging a small Black Tolex Fender amp, sitting on top of a Bogner (12" speaker?) amplifier. continue reading...

Hi Winslow,

I am new to BH and I don't have a musical background.  I am currently working my way through the LOA 1 Coursework.  

Perhaps I am getting ahead of myself but I want to try to figure out how to play some of the music I listen to.  Below is a link to the Rolling Stones version of Hate To See You Go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrIjMzBr-ck

My problem is I don't know where to start because I don't know what key the song is in.  Is that something you can tell just by listening to the song? continue reading...

I have searched around on the internet but I can't find what I'm looking for. I need help reading the music notes for harmonica, key of f. Not the numbers, like the actual notes.

Sir, I am having only harmonica with me (hohner silver star) C harmonica with me . So , can you guide me if I could learn all lessons on only one harmonica.

Sir, I am having only harmonica with me (hohner silver star) C harmonica with me . So , can you guide me if I could learn all lessons on only one harmonica.

I'm a beginner and just started working on my scale.. going up (from 4 to 6) I can get pretty clean notes probably 80% of the time... but when I move back down the scale, I keep bleeding into multiple notes? Not sure if my tongue is coming off the comb or my mouth is opening up more? any suggestions on what to look for/concentrate on when moving down scale?

Winslow Hi. OK sometimes I think I know where this whole issue of positions is and other times I don’t have a clue. If I was asked to explain it I would have to admit that it’s the secret handshake of harp players. Just kidding, but serious I could not explain it. I know how to use it but let’s take a specific example to try to help me understand. So I look at some music with tabs that states the piece is played in the key of G. continue reading...

Hi Winslow, just finished watching your interview with Dave Barrett and found it very fascinating since I too continue reading...

I have noticed that when I test my A harp (Special 20) on the HarpNinja I see that a couple of the notes 6 and 7 blow record yellow rather than green and some are marginally green. My other two harps C and G display green for all notes. I have ordered new plates but wanted to know if this is a problem with my A harp or with intolerances. Should I replace the plates? I have given the A harp a clean and same result.

Appreciate any suggestions.