Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

Hi Winslow,

David suggested I transfer my question to you.

  continue reading...

I am new to harmonica and I am a bit confused about why the diatonic instrument is supposeed to be better suited to blues.

I have a Hohner Special 20 in C but how can this play a blues scale that requires both an E flat and the blue note of F sharp?

Am I missing or misunderstanding something?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards

Malcolm

I've considered buying vintage harmonicas seen on eBay and elsewhere. These are all Hohners that are presently built to lower standards of quality or have been discontinued. Is this a good or a bad idea, and if it's good, any models in particular I should seek out?

I've also seen Hohner "Remaster" harmonicas on offer. They look interesting, if a little too wrapped up in form. Can anyone attest to the quality of their tone and construction?

I was trying to figure which key  harmonica to use to try playing

the song 'A Thousand Suns ' by the Guru Ganesha Band.

I think the C#/Db Harp, or would you recommend

a different key ?

                     Thank you for your time continue reading...

I bought a Hohner 64 Chromonica used that has the tip of the slide broken off.  I'm not sure if the slide replacements they sell online will work with it since I don't know the year.  I took it apart and attached a photo.  Is it retrievable?

Winslow Hi  I continue to try and understand positions and whilst making progress I run into issues that I cannot understand.

Example: continue reading...

recently a friend gave me a hohner 10 hole chromatic and it seems real nice . Can I clean this and or disinfect it so I can play it ? What would be the easiest way to go ? A friend gave me some white powder that he uses to clean beer bottles not sure what it is but I dont want to ruin it . Thanks

Hello; 

I was wondering if something is wrong with my harmonica or is it just me not doing it right. I've spent 1 week trying to bend on 1 2 3 4 6 holes of my harmonica but can only bend on 1st hole of the harmonica; I can't manage to pull it off on the other holes. I have the same issue with another harmonica so I'm finding it quite strange that the the harmonicas are both faulty... continue reading...

Hello Winslow,

Thank you for all you do for the harmonica community!

A few years ago you mentioned a gold standard for apps re harmonica tuning: the Peterson virtual strobe app. 

I don't see that app any longer.

What do you recommend for the iMac and/or iPad today?

Thanks so much.

Bruce Weinstein

Ive just been doing a play along with Love me do.  On listening closely to the harp liks I hear one I can imagine.  The first few notes sound like a fast tremelo.   In the first few bars there is almost a growling or buzzing effect about 8 seconds into the into.  

Any idea how to create that hot sound or was it electronic (dount it in 1963) 

Gary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pGOFX1D_jg