Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

Hey Winslow,

I was watching your interview on this website, which is really interesting. I am curious about one thing - you mentioned the XB-40 is louder than a standard diatonic. Do you know why it is louder? Is it just because the holes, and the actual harmonica, is bigger? Does it have something to do with the extra reeds? If it has to do with the hole size, can we generalize that diatonics with bigger holes, or just larger diatonics in general - like seydel, have the potential to be louder?

Hey Winslow,

When I pucker, I find the optimal position for the best tone to be when the back of the harmonica is facing about 30 degrees down, rather than 30 degrees up as described on this website. If I tounge block with the upperside of my tongue blocking the holes, I do need to face the back of the harmonica slightly up to get the best tone/comfort. That makes switching between tongue blocking and pucker a bit inconvenient because in addition to the other moves I have to make, I have to tilt the harmonica in the opposite direction when I switch. continue reading...

Hi Winslow,

I was sadden to learn the great Toots Thielelmans past away August 22, 2016. Any recordings from Toots are still required listening and study for me.

You had numerous occassions to meet and work with the Maestro. For our benefit, can you share your best moments with Toots?

Kinya

I was looking at some jam tracks and came across a 16 bar blues progression.

(Iam only familier with the 12 bar blues pattern)

The pattern is:

I Chord / I Chord / I Chord / I Chord

I Chord/ I Chord / I Chord / I Chord

IV Chord / IV Chord / I Chord / I Chord

V Chord / IV Chord / I Chord / V Chord

Is this a pretty good example to a typical

' 16 bar  blues pattern ' ?

  Thank you for your time

                Steven Barta

Hi Winslow

I see that Hohner is releasing a new chromatic model, the ACE 48. I recall reading that they will be showing it at SPAH.

 I was wondering if you could share any thoughts on the new ACE. 

Best,

Andrew

Winslow --

I posted this on the New Music forum but, while I've had some folks reading the post, I haven't received any answers thus far. Can you help?

Hey All --

So I'm wondering if you all are familiar with Jason Kincheloe who plays with Sister Sparrow and the Dirty Birds. I saw them a year ago at the High Sierra Music Festival and was just blown away by his playing. Truth be told, he was the one that turned on the light bulb to pick up the harmonica. continue reading...

hi,

i have two harmonicas. one is the 'ms blues harp' in the key of c and the other is the 'marine band 1896' in the key of a.

my question is which harmonica do you recommend me to buy if i want the one that will help me the most in improving my bends and in a different key from what i own?

thanks/

hi,

i have two harmonicas. one is the 'ms blues harp' in the key of c and the other is the 'marine band 1896' in the key of a.

my question is which harmonica do you recommend me to buy if i want the one that will help me the most in improving my bends and in a different key from what i own?

thanks/

Winslow:

Can you tell me if there is anything I can do to eliminate the acidic metal taste on my tongue that I get with a brand new Suzuki Promaster Hammond? I just purchased it, tried it once and taste metal on my tongue bending. Sure would like to think I didn't waste my money. Thanks.

-Todd

Hi Winslow, over the years, I have bought and played many chromatic harmonicas. In addition, I have toured both the Hohner factory in Trossingen, Germany, and the Suzuki harmonica factory in Hamamatsu, Japan. Witnessing their craftsman build chromatic harmonicas was nothing short of amazing. continue reading...