Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

Hey! continue reading...

Hi

I can't reach the bending of the 4 until the bottom. I've been practising for quite long time and although I evolved in other aspects I can tune the 4 bending well

Can ñyou give me some tip?

Thanks

So yes, I have begun the decent into madness, tinkering with the innards of my harmonicas. Started out messing with reed shape and gapping in an attempt improve bending performance and to make overblows easier, and this quickly lead to a workspace (my kitchen counter) strewn with screws, tools and reed plates as I experimented on all the various styles and brands I have collected over the years. continue reading...

Hi Winslow! My CX-12 is becoming harder to play because the valves are sticking and the reedplates needs some cleaning. It's OK to soak the reedplates in warm water and then cleaning the reedplates and valves gently with absorbent kitchen paper? Thanks in advance.

Hi Winslow

        My name is Phil Anderson. I have been a student of David Barrett for 5 years. I play every day and my wife and I have a duo called Harp and Harp. She plays classical standup harp. We play everything. David told me to contact you to get help with my bending to the F and Ab. Thats my problem is bending to those notes. I'm also not real good on the computer so it might take me a minute for some things. I'm also 69 years old and this is the only instrument I have ever played.

Thanks Phil

Winslow:

I really enjoyed your review of Kongsheng's Lyra and KB-12 Boogie-Man chromatics in SPAH's latest Harmonica Happenings.

I have two C KB-12s that I picked up at early bargain prices. Figured one for the car's glove compartment, and one to replace that one if I lost it. But I quickly discovered that the KB-12 is a really nice harmonica. It's now a regular in my jam kit. (My go-to of the two is the one that's "toothpaste green," the color of which always elicits comments from the other folks in the band.) continue reading...

Hi Winslow,

I am a beginner, but I have made good progress with draw bending on the C and A harmonicas. I am also a bass player and I love the sound of a low harmonica. I recently got a low C, but I can only bend the 6 draw. No success on the other holes. Any advice? 

Thank you,

James

Hi Winslow! I wanted to ask your thoughts about holding the chromatic harmonica for playing different styles other than blues. I see players like Cy Leo, Robert Bonfiglio and Larry Adler holding the harmonica different from guys like Brendan Power, Stevie Wonder. etc. Do you think this "classical" grip is important to learn? I find it a little bit uncomfortable for my right wrist but those guys are professionals so what do I know? 

Hello Winslow,

Would a Hohner 364/24 be the best harp to relicate Sonny Boy II's sound on recordings like "Keep It To Yourself" and "Bye Bye Bird"?

I have a Rocket Low F that I love. I'm thinking of a Low D or Low C. I saw on a Reddit post where you said Sonny Boy II used a Low D "extensively in Europe" and Low C "for his Chess recording of Bye, Bye Bird".

Or, should I consider a Brendan Power Lucky 13?

Another consideration: Do I even need a 12-hole and should I consider a Rocket Low C or D?

Thanks!

Hello Winslow,

I hope you are keeping well.

I have a relatively new 12 hole chromatic that buzzes on the second and third holes when I first start playing, but it goes away after a few minutes of playing.  Does that sound like the windsavers?  Is there a quick fix beyond replacing the affected windsavers, or should I just live with it unless it becomes too annoying.

Thanks in advance.

Geoffrey.