Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

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

 I have a build up on my slide plates? I do brush my teeth prior to practicing.. But still there is a gummy build up that  is hard to remove.Some of the build up has hardened.It is not very thick.. I am using alcohol.. But it is having a hard time cutting it? What should I use?

Hey Winslow,

I've seen you mention trying out the Lucky 13 on a few different forums/threads. Would you be willing to share your thoughts in a bit more detail? What are your thoughts on the harp in general? How about for a beginner working through the LOA? Would it really be a solid replacement for 2 harps (a regular and low)? Ignoring the extra holes, how does it play compared to the high end harps by other manufacturers? continue reading...

As a beginner im using Hohner blues bender harmonica. Mont of holes on harmonica are working fine except it is hard to drow on hole number  7, 8, 9. It require more than normal pressure of air to produce the sound on these holes. Hole no 10 is very less responsive, it require huge amunt of air in-out to produce the sound . Drow on hole no 7, 8, 9 give late responce and it requre to inhale more than normal air. My question is : is something wrong with my harmonica? something wrong with my reed plates? why they are not responsive like others holes? continue reading...

 I am wondering how to get the back side of mouth pieces,slide plate,blank plate,more clean. I scrubbed them but still a residue persists. maybe even lightly corroding.. They are 20 plus years old.. I already deburred some sharp edges and metal high spots.. This made them work better. They are still discolored and a residue / build up on these items..

 I purchased a metal polish that is non toxic, can I use this to polish them? Or is there a better suggestion that you can offer? Thank you.

Hi,

I have been playing blues harmonica for almost 4 years now. I tried different harmonicas along the way, but by far my favorite is the Hohner Golden Melody. I love the way it feels and plays.

I still have a feeling that I should be playing a different more bluesy tuned harmonica because of all the reviews I have seen of people talking about the golden meody not being a harmonica for the blues because it should only be played for melodies. I find that the chords sound different, yeah, but sounds good to me... continue reading...

I am having a lot of problems with not being able to draw my upper holes (usually 8 and 9 but occasionally  7 and 10 also). I can draw easy or hard and they won't play sometimes. It can happen on blow notes also but usually just draws. I'm thinking it may be related to doing blow bends because it never is a problem on the lower notes. They don't get better. I've tried taking them apart and adjusting the reeds but it doesn't help a lot or it just does it again. Why does this happen? It has happened on multiple harmonicas, not just one. continue reading...

Hi Winslow,

How do you make a extremely stiff 1896 Marine Band out of the box harp play easier?

Hi Winslow, last night I caught the Blues Traveler concert featuring John Popper in downtown San Jose (prox 2,000 fans). I was pleased to see that John kept his weight under control. His wonderful vocals and harmonica playing were classic Popper.

John continues to play Hohner (out of the box I suspect) Special 20 harmonicas. In fact, he tossed three of them into the audience --if only I stood another 8' to my right ==>

His amplification came from bridging a small Black Tolex Fender amp, sitting on top of a Bogner (12" speaker?) amplifier. continue reading...

Hi Winslow,

I am new to BH and I don't have a musical background.  I am currently working my way through the LOA 1 Coursework.  

Perhaps I am getting ahead of myself but I want to try to figure out how to play some of the music I listen to.  Below is a link to the Rolling Stones version of Hate To See You Go.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lrIjMzBr-ck

My problem is I don't know where to start because I don't know what key the song is in.  Is that something you can tell just by listening to the song? continue reading...