Ask Instructor David Barrett

David I’m struggling playing with a microphone.  I watched the video where you showed Ryan Walker how to use the mic and get good cupping.  I think I’m getting a good seal.  My problem is to get that seal I feel I am holding the harp too tight and my hands are too tight against my face and this prevents me from being able to move around on the harmonica past a few holes.  continue reading...

Hi David! I just moved to a new apartment and sadly, one of my neighbours doesn't like hear me playing much, haha! Specially on sundays. I tried to play softly and no complaing yet. Any suggestion for playing softly? I feel that I don't have the same control on bends and other techniques. 

Hello David,

Thank you for the fantastic website.

In the Music Theory Study 2.5,  for the 2 draw half step bend, I don't understand why it goes from the 1st scale degree to the 7th.

As in the Myxolydian mode there's a whole step between the 7th and the 8th degree, then if I bend the 2 draw by a half step should'nt it go from 1st degree to 1st b ?

(Idem for the 9 blow)

Thank you

Hi David! I want to record the second study song using the Reaper DAW. I only have an Audix Fireball microphone (kinda like a shortened SM58). When I record the tone is poor and sometimes too low. Of course I have been playing for a short time and the tone is not big but I feel more happy with how recording with my phone sounds LOL! Any suggestion for this; Thanks. 

Hi David, my name is Andy. I'm working through tongue block study 1. I got a Hohner Crossover in A. While playing along with Walk with Me I noticed i was very sharp. You are spot on perfect according to my tuner, and I'm showing between 15 and 30 cents sharp on every note. It's averaging 25 cents sharp on the blows and about 15 cents sharp on the draws. I've got another harp brand in C that generally plays more in tune, although the tone and response isn't as nice as the Hohner. Have you noticed any tuning issues with the Hohner Crossover? Is this me or the harp? continue reading...

Hi David! I have been practicing the second study song "Temperature" and studying the first chromatic study song as well. I'm using a 16 hole chrom harp for now: can I add some tongue slaps on the 1st hole as well? I know you don't do that because you play a 12 hole instrument but I feel like those lower chords for slaps are really nice and powerful sounding!

David, 

Any tips on the 8 hole draw "dip" in the 3rd chorus? Having trouble with this one. Does my technique need adjustment or do my reeds need adjustment?

thanks,

Peter J

Hi David! I have been checking the first chromatic harmonica study song called No Sweat. I noticed that the roman number in the 9th bar says II and I believe I hear the bass and chords playing an E chord in that blues form. Is the correct chord a Em7b5 or a pure Em chord? It is common to find a II-V-I turnaround in a blues tune outside jazz or it's an uncommon variation used in this particular song? Any popular blues tune using that II chord in the turnaround? Thanks.

Hello David, 

I would like to train my composition skills because I always try to create my own songs with a few playbacks. I have a few questions about this:

1. Why is the chord order in 12 Bar Blues I / IV / I / V / IV / I / V and in 8 Bar Blues I / V / IV / I / V / I / V?

2. What is the ii chord on the Blues Chromatic? There the order is completely different namely I / IV / I / ii / V / I. continue reading...

Hi David,

this might be a really stupid question but it's not clear in my mind so I thought I'd ask. 

Is it right to say that we actually play in 1st, 2nd and 3rd position (or modes?) every time we play the 1,4,5 chord progression across the 12 bar structure i.e. on a C harmonica:- G (2nd), C (1st) and D (3rd)? Or is this an innacurate conclusion? If so why?

  continue reading...