Ask Instructor David Barrett

How do I hold the Harmonica?

Hey this is my first time. Instead of tounge-blocking, can we just enclose the hole with our lips?

Hey this is my first time. Instead of tounge-blocking, can we just enclose the hole with our lips?

Hey this is my first time. Instead of tounge-blocking, can we just enclose the hole with our lips?

Hi David,

Hopefully I can explain the question so that you can understand. Here goes. So, while learning a study song you pick out your favourite licks and place them in the various chorus forms. no problem there. But as you progress through the many study songs and pick out your favourite licks, you are going to have hundreds of licks. do the new licks replace the old licks, or, do you continually practice all the licks which as stated above could run into hundreds and take hours to get through list. Hope you understand this.

Regards,

Paul

Hi David, when performing vibrato, please can you confirm where the tongue should be placed in the mouth. Hope this finds you and family well.

Regards

Paul

Hi DavidMy Name si Benjamin and i am French (sorry for my  english)

I have just registried myself to Blues Harmonica and  I am very beginner. My idea was to do it level by level with the LoA but i saw that i may need an A harmonica, unfortunately i have Orly a C one

otherwise, i enter in "lessons" and i saw there was a special one for C harmonica in level 1 but for one side, it dosn t seem to be as complete as the LaO level one and for the other side what about the others levels with C harmonica? continue reading...

I was wondering if there is any way on the site to view all the students submissions to you after each lesson?

I have noticed after browsing around that you have a file system that looks like we can view our own submissions, I think thats what it is. But was thinking it would be neat to see all the students submissions and even your responses and critiques on them. I know you have one or two students videos as a part of this learning system that we can see but am talking about all students.  continue reading...

Hey there,

Pretty much brand new. 2 weeks in.

I feel really good about tongue blocking blowing, and get good tone. But, when I draw, I can barely get any sound. It sort of feels like my cheeks collapse in, and I can't draw any air in.

Not sure how to diagnose this. 

Thanks!

David

I am working on "The Stretch" for Level 9 and my question concerns the best way of cupping the harmonica and mic when moving from the low to the high end. I am used to playing at the low end with the high end of the harmonica being outside the cup. What is the best way to change the relative hand/mic/harmonica position to get the high end sound into the mic?

Thanks

Gary