Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

I have been playing for about 6 months. I enjoy playing folksey songs, patriotic, and some ballads. I am not a big blues fan but am taking the beginner course on Blues harmonica.com to expand my harmonic horizons. Would a chromatic be practical for me sometime in the future. How so they work, and are they entirely different from the diatonics thus being more complicated to play? Perhaps a book you know would enlighten me about the chromatic harmonica.

Thanks a lot,

Chuck

What is that long harmonica that George "harmonica" Smith plays, theres one on the front cover of the Arkansas Trap LP, but it looks longer then the 16 hole chromatic that I know of, do you know who makes these harmonicas, thanks.

This is the only photo I could find.
http://milchapitas.blogspot.com.au/2011/11/george-harmonica-smith-arkans...

Hi!

I am perhaps asked a question that's been addressed before but when I searched the forum just some of my doubts were cleared. I discovered that in your past posts you mentioned that you did not think too highly of the Golden Melody's chord playing.

But what I wanted to know was why is it that I find handling the GM far easier than the MB. Is it something that's specific to an individual or is that courtesy the way the harps are constructed?

I would really appreciate any light shed on the subject.

Regards
Sridhar

Hello Winslow
Knowing that a Chromatic needs to be maintained and being visually impaired do you have any suggestions on a model of chromatic that may be easier to deal with than other models Right now I'm thinking of getting the Hohner 270 deluxe or cx 12 and I have been looking at the Seydel deluxe as well. I play primarily blues. I do take the proper preventative measures before playing.
I can get a harp disassembled and reassembled with the aid of a cctv but using this magnification I can only see 1inch at a time.
Any advice will be greatly appreciated

I just bought a set of Suzuki Manji harmonicas (A, Bb, C, D, E, F, and G). All of them are great except D harp.
I have a real problem to do 3 draw bends. It is a real struggle to make decent sound.
I have no problem with other harmonicas. Can it be corrected or will I have to get a replacement?

By the way I just subscribed to this great website. I watched couple of interviews and looked at few lessons. I’m so impressed by the quality and wealth of the material presented here.
I consider myself an intermediate level player. It looks like this is what I was looking for.

George Smith...Tribute to Little Walter....What Key...What Position? My ear is saying D harp, 3rd Pos, Key of E...Thanks

Winslow...Greetings....What I am saying is while advancing onto the F harp I have found the bends are much harder to obtain. Focusing on the 2 draw bend , a whole step, my embouchure, I assume must change somewhat in comparison, lets say, while using an A harp... What are the adjustments I need to make; are there any exercises to develop the technique needed and, what are they? Thank you much...Tommy Hutch

Hi Winslow

Do you know of any diatonic players that play or played in the following styles of Music?

1) "Traditional Music of Mexico"

2) "Old Timey Music"
I know of Roscoe Holcomb's playing any others?
Fox Chase http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNyGGbCoW_U
Barbara Allen Blues http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5lxVjRjeDU)

3) "Zydeco"
I know Clifton Chenier played some harp any others?

Hi, Winslow. I recently came into possession of a large Hohner chord harmonica. I'm blown away by the sound this thing produces. It is to harmonicas what a violin is to stringed instruments; beautifully depressing, you know? Although I think it sounds great, it's around 40 years old (no idea how to figure out the date) and in need of a deep cleaning. Is there any advice you can give me on cleaning this instrument, preferably with the cover plates (and possibly reed plates) removed, or even a general direction you can point me in. continue reading...

I saw a YouTube clip of Rick Estrin playing without using his hands, just the harp in his mouth. It's a cool gimmick, but it doesn't work for me at all - air just escapes through the back. Any idea how he does it?