Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

Winslow I've heard you reference many times keeping an open pathway.   For example : 

"Valved harps will sound different from unvalved - the blow notes wil be louder, and may even bend when you don't mean them to , which is good for your bending control and for your tone, as it helps prevent you from closing up your oral cavity."

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Hi Winslow,

I've seen your review of the Suzuki G-48.  Have you had the opportunity to play the G-48W with the rosewood cover plates?

 Any thoughts on comparing the two models?

Any significant updates  to your assessment of the G-48 Since you reviewed it?

Best,

Andrew

Hi Winslow,

I am researching and shopping for my first Chromatic.  The info posted on the forum has be so helpful.

I am thinking I will start with a 12 hole model but would really like more bottom end available than on the standard C models.

I see there is the  tenor or C tuning with the low octave as on a 16 holer.  I've also seen the Seydel's Orchestra tuning which appears like the a 14 hole cut off at the top.  The Orchestra tuning seems very functional as I am not sure how often those very bottom holes are used. continue reading...

Hey Winslow (and Forum)

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Hey Winslow (and Forum)

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G'day Winslow,

Im wanting to buy my first Chromatic Harmonica. I've never played one before and have only been playing Harmonica of any sort (diatonic) for a year or so.

What are your thoughts on the 10 hole Chromonica? I like the small size of it. I understand that i'd be missing out on half an octave, but I suspect it won't make that much of a difference to me. Thoughts? continue reading...

Hi,

this is my first post in this forum. I am planning to buy all the common harmonicas we need for blues.

Could you please list them here ? Also can I buy those from our website here ?

Regards,Sai

Hi Winslow,

While touring around a collectibles store I came across a 1957 Hohner Centennial in C. It was in its original box and in excellent shape so I bought it for $10.  I'm not sure about the claimed date of it but perhaps you know something about this Harp? It does play fine although very low volume and holes 9-10 won't blow bend. What are your thoughts on this harp??

John

Hello Winslow, and everybody who reads this.

I've been playing a few years  Seydel Saxony, Hohner CX12, Chromatix series from Suzuki.

After cleaning all the harmonicas, the saxony still feels really smooth on the slide action, as the cx12, they feel like butter.

On the other hard, SCX's ... after the maintenence and cleaning the slide feels a little different, more raspy, i guess is because when is new it comes with a little bit of oil in the slide. Do I need to oil the slide again for the smooth feeling? And what kind of oil? 

thanks

Hi,

I'm working on a tune by Howlin Wolf:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVNJfI7o7_0 continue reading...