Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

In the process of learning music theory, I’m wondering why the chords I, IV and V are major when major chords are happy and blues are supposed to be sad. I’m surprised blues doesn’t use minor chords.

Which brings me to my main question: Are minor keyed harps better for sad songs because they have minor chords?

I know some harmonicas like lee oskar melody maker makes so many changes to harmonica that might make me as beginner

confused .  I am not buying that harmonica because it might have bad effect on me

But That one extra note country tuning gives me can be very helpful

Should I just buy country tuning harmonica and work on it?

Please let me know why I should not. 

thanks

Countersunk Reed Plates continue reading...

Hi Winslow,

I was wondering if you had an opinion on whether using compression (Dynamic Range Compression) is a good idea when mixing, and is it used often?

After all, we are taught from the beginning the importance of varying dynamics. continue reading...

Hi Winslow,  What do you think are the benefits of being able to tongue block switch single notes out of either side of mouth and

what style of music is best for this style of playing?

This is just out of curiosity, but I thought you might know.

I was listening to the early recordings of SBW1 (out of that compilation from Monument Records) with some attention the other day and noticed that he never used a shake on any song (at least on the first CD). I also noticed he repeatedly used the same fill over and over, but that's another story...

Was it just part of his style? Did other players used it at that time or did the shake came to be later on?

Thank you

Stef

Hi

i have a problem with the hole 1 draw: i can't play it loud.

I put my tongue the lower possible and drop my jar the max i can, to get a good tune. But the sound in hole 1 draw isnt as loud as the other draw holes.

Wheun i close a litle bit my mouth, in other words, when i don't drop the jar the max neither put my tongue the lower possible, I can play the hole 1 draw louder, but the tune ins't as good.

So i have to choose between playing hole 1 draw loud with poor tune or playing it low with good tune. It happens in several harmonica (A, Bb, C...) continue reading...

 First and most important, I really apreciate all the help I get from Y'all.. 

  When I pick up my chromatic I play straight blow and draws to warm it up.. Then after a while I press the slide button.. some times it moves other times It requires a little more pressure.. I bought slide oil and valve oil.. But I am unsure if I should use them? They seem to be petrolium based? continue reading...

I'm interested in this, Suzuki Promaster Harmonica MR-350 model and was wondering if you're or anyone has an opinion on it. One of the man reasons I'm interested besides it being valved is its countoured shape. Thanks

HI!

I have just bough a C Harp (Hohner Bluesband Enthusiast). For some weird reason, im not being able to get a proper sounf from holes 1,2 and 3.

So far I have been using a marineband C harp. There the first 3 holes sound well.

Is the harp i bough faulty? Or am I doing something very wrong?

Regards 

Amartya