Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

HI Winslow!

I'm about to buy a Chromatic harmonica, in mexico Hohner is the only Harmonica in the stores, so I just have some basic options, Super64, Chromonica 280, CX12 and CX12 Jazz.

I dont like the big 64 holes harmonica, I feel its too big. I'm looking foward to buy one CX12, but since I know the CX12 Jazz has been treated with paint, I read in SlideMeister forum that the painting chip appart.

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I am a beginner and have Special 20s and Crossovers.  I like the tone of the Crossover, but the Special 20 seems to blow easier.  Is this just me, or is the Special 20 a little easier to play?I especially have a hard time with the 2 draw on my Crossover G.   Just seems like I have to use a lot more breath with that harp.  Would really like to hear if you or others have had a similar experience? Could also be that I am just a new player.

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I switch between TB and LP, and was playing around with LP the other day, when I noticed something.  I was getting a single note, but the adjacent holes on harp weren't covered.  Without moving the harp or my lips, I could move my tonge forward and feel holes 2 and 4 open next to the 3, but I wasn't getting any sound out of them.  Anybody else notice this?

Phil

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Hey Winslow, brilliant interview with David. Your insights into the expansive harmonica world were unique and inspiring. Thanks so very much for sharing. 

Hi Winslow,

Watching many many u tube videos I would often hear Adam Gusso (and others) pick up a harp and say this one has a reed blown out or it has gone out of tune. 

I was glad that didn't happen to me. Until it did. 

I was working with my G blues Harp and all of a sudden hole 7 blow is a whole tone lower. I disassembled it thinking it was blocked or had debris on it. I plinked the reed and to my dismay it just lifted up and stayed. Oh no!!! So I gently pushed it back and it immediately travelled through the hole and stayed.  continue reading...

Hi,I'm starting playing chromatic harmonica (Super Chromonica 270 Deluxe) and I have problems with 1 and 2 draw if I try to do it without breathing through the nose too. Sound good when I take air through the nose at the same time, but then I have problems to play because immediatly I'm full of air! I have been trying breathing very slow a big mouth cavity etc, but nothing. From the 3 hole I don't have this problem.It is a normal problem when starting? could be a problem with these holes? Some advice to try to get a good sound without using my nose? continue reading...

Hi Winslow...Question: I just put new reed plates in my Lee Oskar Bb harp. It sounds great. The only problem is that the 1+ often fails to sound during play. If I let it rest for a few moments, or if I play a 1 draw first, it seems to reset it. My thought is that the vibrations of the reed are somehow making it stick. Have you ever experienced this and do you know a fix? Or, do I just need to break the new plates in by more play?

Thanks...Francis

Hi Winslow...Is it common for players to have a problem getting a nice round sound hitting a 3' with a D harp? I can hit it much of the time but it sounds like a sick cat! I can't imagine what an E harp, or high F for that matter, would sound like. Thanks...Francis