Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David,

Couple of tips required here, I've just about nailed this tune but two issues I have, on the 3rd, and 5th choruses where the the double draw notes are and going into a few draw notes I seriously run out of air and have to exhale before I need a blow note,any exercises to help with this problem or tips to control it.

Other thing is I can play along with you playing the tune and keep in time but playing with the backing track I always lose my timing, due to my music reading skills not as good as they should be

Thanks

Roger

David, I just wanted to tell you the first thing I looked at when starting LOA 3 was look at Positions Playing part 1 and 2. I now have a decent understanding as to what positions are and why they are usefull. I can't tell you how much I'm enjoying the lessons. And the amount of detail available on the website is awesome. continue reading...

Hi, I've been learning to play the harmonica for a while now, and I'm learning how to bend. continue reading...

Hi David,

Hope this doesn't come across as a daft question. So, can a lick be a fill and can a fill also be a lick.

kind regards,

Paul

Hi newbie here.

Started 4 weeks before I joined this site which by the way is awesome and there is everything I need avalaible.

So thank you so much for making it David and everyone involved.

In those 4 weeks I was puckering single notes and started tongue blocking when I joined here.

I'm really happy with the result from tongue blocking no doubt about that.

My concern is that when I pucker the harmonica is in front of me. continue reading...

David,  continue reading...

David,  continue reading...

Hi David,

I've been working on the bending techniques, and I am wondering if other people (probably beginners mostly) also find it more difficult to bend certain notes in one keyed harmonica while finding it more difficult to bend other notes in other keyed harmonicas.  continue reading...

I purchased a C harmonica which included a free 30 day set of lessons with you. It appears that these lessons all require an A harmonica. Am I out of luck? 

Hi David

I have been doing your course now for about a month and really enjoying it.

I have a question about hole 1 draw. Whilst I seem to be ok at keeping a closed nose for all the other notes I cannot get hole 1 draw to play unless my nose is open. Is this normal or am I missing something?

Also, I find hole 10 really hard to play and it seems very weak and takes quite a lot of effort. Is that usual?

I am using a Marine Band Deluxe A if that is relevant.

Many thanks.

Simon

(aged 62 and wishing I had started many years ago!)