Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

I have searched around on the internet but I can't find what I'm looking for. I need help reading the music notes for harmonica, key of f. Not the numbers, like the actual notes.

Sir, I am having only harmonica with me (hohner silver star) C harmonica with me . So , can you guide me if I could learn all lessons on only one harmonica.

Sir, I am having only harmonica with me (hohner silver star) C harmonica with me . So , can you guide me if I could learn all lessons on only one harmonica.

I'm a beginner and just started working on my scale.. going up (from 4 to 6) I can get pretty clean notes probably 80% of the time... but when I move back down the scale, I keep bleeding into multiple notes? Not sure if my tongue is coming off the comb or my mouth is opening up more? any suggestions on what to look for/concentrate on when moving down scale?

Winslow Hi. OK sometimes I think I know where this whole issue of positions is and other times I don’t have a clue. If I was asked to explain it I would have to admit that it’s the secret handshake of harp players. Just kidding, but serious I could not explain it. I know how to use it but let’s take a specific example to try to help me understand. So I look at some music with tabs that states the piece is played in the key of G. continue reading...

Hi Winslow, just finished watching your interview with Dave Barrett and found it very fascinating since I too continue reading...

I have noticed that when I test my A harp (Special 20) on the HarpNinja I see that a couple of the notes 6 and 7 blow record yellow rather than green and some are marginally green. My other two harps C and G display green for all notes. I have ordered new plates but wanted to know if this is a problem with my A harp or with intolerances. Should I replace the plates? I have given the A harp a clean and same result.

Appreciate any suggestions.

Hello Winslow Yerxa am working on a CBH 2016 chromatic for someone. And this is the first time I have ever messed with one. I was google searching wind saver problems. And I found the forum Chromatic Note Sticking. The person in this forum was having some of the same problems with his chromatic am noticing in the one am working on. continue reading...

Hey Winslow,

I was watching your interview on this website, which is really interesting. I am curious about one thing - you mentioned the XB-40 is louder than a standard diatonic. Do you know why it is louder? Is it just because the holes, and the actual harmonica, is bigger? Does it have something to do with the extra reeds? If it has to do with the hole size, can we generalize that diatonics with bigger holes, or just larger diatonics in general - like seydel, have the potential to be louder?

Hey Winslow,

When I pucker, I find the optimal position for the best tone to be when the back of the harmonica is facing about 30 degrees down, rather than 30 degrees up as described on this website. If I tounge block with the upperside of my tongue blocking the holes, I do need to face the back of the harmonica slightly up to get the best tone/comfort. That makes switching between tongue blocking and pucker a bit inconvenient because in addition to the other moves I have to make, I have to tilt the harmonica in the opposite direction when I switch. continue reading...