Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

Questions regarding harmonica models, styles, technique, history... pretty much anything!

Suzuki Promaster Hammond Metal Taste due to Aluminum comb

Posted Thu, 04/28/2016 - 04:27 by tdeitr

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

3 comments

Hohner Hard Bopper and Mellow Tone Chromatic Harmonicas

Posted Sun, 03/20/2016 - 10:06 by Harp Tech Kinya...

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...

5 comments

Harmonica for traditional melody playing

Posted Wed, 03/16/2016 - 22:11 by Andrew Lord

Hi Winslow,

What are your thoughts around the best harmonica for traditional melody playing? What I mean by this specifically is Irish and Scottish music and other styles you typically hear on pipes or fiddle.

Chromatics come to mind first but i am also seeing Paddy Richter tuning on a diatonic mentioned frequently.

it seems like Paddy Richter would leverage a foundation on the diatonic. do you see pros or cons to either approach?

Thanks for for any feedback.

Andrew

1 comment

Key of F

Posted Wed, 02/24/2016 - 22:40 by Andrew Lord

Hi Winslow

i was wondering if you could share any thoughts on the Key of F Harp.

i have noticed there are no Key of F studies on this site - other than Low F. I've seen many comments around usually like the "dreaded F Harp". I expect this is because it is so high And must grate on the ear for some. Is it common to just substitute the Low F nowadays? Any pros or cons with that approach? Thanks for any thoughts...

Andrew

3 comments

What key harmonica should I use?

Posted Sun, 02/21/2016 - 02:22 by DenisMedvedev

Greetings!

My name is Denis. I'm a professional guitar player, but I'm new here ) I started to play harmonica two weeks ago. I try to learn by myself with this site, but it isn't simple. We play a cover of Bon Jovi song "Wanted Dead Or Alive" and I want to play some solo on harmonica. Could you help me and tell what scale of harmonica I have use in this song and how to play this western sound in the intro of the song?

Thank you ! continue reading...

3 comments

Separating the tongue and throat

Posted Fri, 02/19/2016 - 07:39 by Nick_Papagorgio

This is a continuation of the open pathway thread.

I followed your advice, but now another problem had arisen.

It seems that when i try to bend with just my tongue ( my throat open, jaw dropped) I have to much space between my tongue and roof mouth. And the bend just doesn't want to happen. It seems that if I raise my jaw up closer to normal resting position it is much easier to bend with just the tongue. Ofcourse not without a sacrifice in sound/tone. Any advice in this perticular area?

continue reading...