Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

Hi Winslow, continue reading...

Winslow...I have an opportunity to play some accompaniment harmonica with a Bluegrass group and was wanting to explore some comping techniques that fit in this genre of music; Can you direct me to some studies or enlighten me as what is my best approach at learning the basics in this? Thanks in advance...Tommy Hutch

Hello Winslow,
For the June 2010 issue of Harmonica Sessions, you wrote an excellent article on windsavers (valves). You listed the three popular types of the day:

* Mylar valves with one or two layers combines a pliable lower layer and a stiffer, shorter upper layer. This is standard on most modern harmonicas.

* Micropore valves with Mylar stiffeners use 3M Micropore surgical tape as the base layer. Some players feel that the extreme pliability and moisture wicking properties of Micropore make it a better valve base than Mylar. (I believe still available by Mrs.Bill Romel?) continue reading...

Winslow...Ok, I am playing my 12 hole chromatic and 3 draw, button in, no note; 7 blow button in, no note.....What is the problem here? Is there a wind saver out of joint? Please help...David's study songs all precede to common button usage and I am running into difficulties trying to accomplish licks where the button is being used on these notes....Thanks...T Hutch

Winslow....I have a Hohner 64 that needs windsavers... Where is the best outlet to purchase these? Thanks Tommy Hutch

Retro Active CD "Funky Way" Key and position, my Friend....Thanks

Does Kim Wilson have any recordings played acoustically?

I am working on bending notes.

What is a good drill with or without the harmonica that will help me raise the tongue while keeping the tongue underneath the Harmonica.

I can control the tongue with tongue blocking okay, but bringing back in on itself in a hump and withdrawing it at all is hard for me to do while I am tongue blocking.

I am learning the Harmonica using the tongue blocking technique. In that technique my tip of the tongue is underneath the Harmonica as Dave instructed.

I have the Harmonica in my mouth, not just my lips and have it angled down a little. continue reading...

When I listen to players like Sonny Boy I & II and others, it seems to me that they don't play clean single notes very often, but it does not sound like real chords either (although a little more with SB1. Do I hear right? Is it that they play two note combinations or hust the result of their slapping? Any light will help understand and appreciate?

Hi
I presently have MB crossover and Lee Oskar harmonicas. I am a beginner and the different size holes of the two doesn't seem to make a lot of difference when swapping between them.
I want to buy some other types to see how they play and sound. Would there be any issues with the harmonicas that are often mentioned, in regards to how easy it would be to change between different brands and models?
Thanks for any advice