Ask Instructor David Barrett

If a chromatic player got a 2nd chromatic, which Chromatic Key (after C) would be best to get for a player wanting to jam with others (blues, rock or pop)?  And why?

Thanks, Doug

Hello David ,

Hope all is well! Every year the FIH Japan has a contest, hopefully next year too. I was wondering if it was all right  to use your 

study songs for entering, I don't want to step on anyone's toes especially yours. I thought it would be a good way to get to know some other Japanese Blues harp players. I'd only enter if I can do justice to your music.

As usual love this site

Thanks Sanshinboi

David,  I've been working on my 2 draw, trying different tongue, mouth, throat configurations and it still registers sharp by at least 40 cents, and typically airy though with focus the airy becomes clearer, just still sharp.  Any guidance would be appreciated -- I don't know how I will be able to do any bends as my tongue can not get any lower!  Perhaps it's because I'm tongue blocking?  (I'm a beginner working on Temperature).  

Thanks!

John 

I can't find how to hold the harmonica any were please can you help me thank you for your time 

Good evening David, 

I am sending a quick message to introduce myself. My name is Richard. What got me interested in the harmonica was a song by Zack Williams, Empty Grave. I just recieved my very first harmonica this evening on 25APR2020. Excited to start, I listeded to the introduction video on home page. The video provide me good direction.

I want to confirm, for brand new players with absolutely no experience, the best place to start is located in the tab above, Levels of Achievement, and click on beginner level 1?  continue reading...

Good evening David, 

I am sending a quick message to introduce myself. My name is Richard. What got me interested in the harmonica was a song by Zack Williams, Empty Grave. I just recieved my very first harmonica this evening on 25APR2020. Excited to start, I listeded to the introduction video on home page. The video provide me good direction.

I want to confirm, for brand new players with absolutely no experience, the best place to start is located in the tab above, Levels of Achievement, and click on beginner level 1?  continue reading...

Hi David. I have played piano for several years now, and can play fine by chords. I know the notes and understand how the music sounds. I got a special 20 and a harmonica neck holder. I have just learned how to play the blues scale and I have the understanding that it is likely that I will be playing the blues in the blues scale of G on my C diatonic harmonica. My goal is to be able to play the harmonica with piano. Do you have a suggested starting point? I also understand how the chords work for a 12 bar blues to some extent. Just looking for suggestions to make the most of my month. continue reading...

Hi David, I like to understand what I am doing musically. Louisiana song begins (I chord) with the "octave" tongue block technique with 3 and 6 draw and 4 and 7 draw. 4 and 7 draw is in the I chord (the 5th and 3rd notes), but the 3 - 6 draw combination has only the 3rd note of the chord. 6 draw is not in the I chord. So why is this combination musically OK? I ask because later (in the IV chord) the 3 draw is dropped for the fact that is not one of the chordal notes. Thank you.

Good Morning,

So I have been at this right about a month and am now trying get to figure out several things. The first is how to tongue block the 2 hole. I saw where you talked about tongue to the right for hole 1 and to the left for 2 through 10. If I do that it puts my mouth almost off the Harmonica, is that what is suppose to happen?  continue reading...

Hi David, I watch you and hobs lessons. I've noticed that our sounds are diffrent. I bought a Hohner "C chord".

I think you guys are using a "G chord". Do you have lessons for a "C Chord"?