Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

I did pick up the CX12 to help me with my 5 hole Octaves and my U block tendency.

More deeper and feel a definite flat blocking of the tongue. I have been presenting the harmonica too front on. I have to angle it back and feel a flatness of the tongue. I was not doing that.

My request is, I can't find Chromatic Song books that would help me with my skills. It would be very cool if it had mp3s or a .midi file to play with.

Any suggestions, Winslow. You have been very kind to me.

Will

Winslow continue reading...

I have a customer at the music store I work at who is having a lot of difficulty getting started on chromatic harmonica. He is mainly a tremolo harmonica player, and recently purchased a 64 Chromonica. He seems to be having trouble figuring out the tuning of the instrument and is wondering if there are any harmonicas that will play a chromatic scale without bending that is NOT a traditional chromatic. I can only order Hohners at the store where I work, and I see they make an orchestra harmonica called the Chromatica, but I can't find too much info on it. continue reading...

I have purchased hohner silverstar harmonicas for learning from the site as I am a beginner. I have heard that silverstar are inferior harmonicas. Is this true? Should I play on a different harp? Please enlighten.

Hello Winslow
I'm back with a few questions.
1. I need to replace the shell of my CX 12 the notches on the button side wore through. I do like the CX 12 because every time I pick it up I know what to expect, I just wish the tone was a little more like the 270. I was told by Hohner the gold shell was made out of slightly different material and of course the CX 12 Jazz shell is shaped differently. Have you ever noticed a tonal difference from one shell to the next. continue reading...

Hi Winslow,

I'm doing the various section on David Barrett's phenomenal harmonica website (http://www.bluesharmonica.com/). In studying tongue-blocking and soloing on the harp, my challenge now is tongue-blocking hole #1 by switching the tongue from left to right (covering holes 2 and 3). It almost feels like my tongue is making a "windshield wiper" type movement. A little awkward, but I'm getting the hang of it. continue reading...

Hi Winslow,

I'm having trouble with my 270 DLX. I even sent it in for a full servicing at Hohner. Every so often (enough to hinder playing through an entire song) a note doesn't sound. Other times that same note will sound. Sometimes I'll hit a note and there will be a delay before it sounds. When it doesn't sound it, I can blow again or a little harder and it's almost like it's stuck and breaking free.

Is this a windsaver issue? It does this whether the harmonica is cold or warm.

Any advice?

-Taylor

Hi Winslow,

On most GH Smith album covers he's holding a giant long harmonica. Any idea what this is?

Taylor

Hi...I'm somewhat new to blues harmonica playing. I play only Special 20's, at this time. I'm very frustrated because I have blown 3 reeds on 3 harps now. My A harp, which is only less than 3 months old, is the latest catastrophe with a blown 5 draw. I feel it should last longer than that! So, my questions are: Is it worth getting them repaired? If so, do you know who does it? I know they're $35 harps, but it adds up! Also, do you suggest another brand or model that last longer and is still easy to bend? Appreciate it...

Winslow,

In this post you suggested applying rubber cement to the underside of the backing plate:

http://www.bluesharmonica.com/chromatic_air#comment-6295

"First is to get some rubber cement and use it to coat the underside of the backing plate - the side that goes against the body of the harmonica."

How do you apply the rubber cement? Use the brush and paint it onto the backing plate? I want to make sure not to have it leak onto the front side of the backing plate and gum things up. continue reading...