Ask Harmonica Expert Winslow Yerxa

they go out of tune or could use some work? 

This is a question for the future. I was thinking that with this new hobby of $70 disposable instruments that I will need to be buying 6 of at a time, when they get old it might make sense to pack up a bunch and mail them to someone who could maybe fix them up rather than tossing them. 

I live in Austin, Texas if anyone knows someone around here that does that kind of work, but in the modern world shipping them seems like it would be no big deal.  continue reading...

Winslow Hi.

I have been asked to play a song titled Dirty Old Town as sung by The Pouges.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s11BuatTuXk 

It’s a very catchy and easy to play celtic tune. However the issue I have with it is to play all choruses it is played in three differnt keys. The song starts with an introduction of 12 bars in D then changes for two choruses in G and then a chorus on C and then back to G.  Now given the timing of the tune to achieve this I need to miss out section to make distonic harp changes. continue reading...

I mean from a playability POV.  What exactly is the difference between, say, a special 20, a rocket amp and a bluesband?  Obviously they all play differently, but why?  Does Hohner not bother to hand-tune and check the bluesbands?  Are the machining tools for the rocket just better-maintained than the ones for the special 20?  Do they have separate lines for them and don't use the rocket lines for the bluesband because the wear and tear on the machines isn't worth it?  Does the rocket use better, more expensive reed metals than the bluesband? continue reading...

I recently bought a Hohner Rocket and unable to play lower notes 1-3 especially draws. I read on the site that it's a common issue. I practiced as shown by David and I see no improvement. I am not saying that I am a very fast learner. But I also read that that factory made harmonicas could also be out of tune. If this is true, is there any way we could verify that ? Do you have any technique for beginners to check if we are out of tune or the harmonica is out of tune ?

do you recommend covering two holes or three holes with the tongue, i.e. embouchure, (lips), over 3 holes or 4 holes, or does it vary depending on the music, and is the TB your default embouchure, or again, does that vary with a particular passage. Also with a chromatic, is the harp generally kept parallel to the floor as you play, or is it tilted downward somewhat with the back of the harp higher than the front?    I have yet to purchase one, but I plan on getting a Suzuki SCX-48 very soon and am really looking forward to getting started with chromatics.

at the publisher of the "for dummies" books to suggest an idea for a book, i.e., "Chromatic Harmonica for Dummies", to be authored by you?

Winslow, I was thinking of purchasing the Kindle version of both of your "for dummies" books from Amazon, and I was wondering if I would be  provided instructions for downloading the companion mp3s and videos? Some of the reviewers indicated that they had issues with that, however they might have been old reviews, and if any problem did exist, perhaps it has been rectified. Please advise.

Thanks

Hi Winslow,

I have a super 64 Chromatic that I love. I am looking to buy my next key of Chromatic. I will be focusing on West Coast Swing songs, William Clarke, Rod Piazza etc. It seems like Bb would be a good next key? Any suggestions on key and or model to try? continue reading...

...section of the forum to obtain an explanation as to why the following occurs, ie. what the reeds are doing;

"David, I'm starting to have some success at bending, but when, for instance, I hold the 4 draw bend for a while, sometimes I get a really high pitched metallic screeching like feedback. Am I playing too hard, or maybe bending a little beyond, (lower), than I need to. Or maybe both. Is this what's producing this phenomenon? It sort of hurts my left ear a little."

David wants me to report back as to what you say.

Just out of curiosity, from a G harp on the low side to the high F including all the harps in between, how many octaves does that represent?