Ask Instructor David Barrett

Dear David,

I bought Marine Band C and I am just starting with your lessons. You mention, that harmonika A is needed. Does that mean, that I cannot do the lessons with my harmonica C? Or is there an other lesson for me?

Thanks for your reply in advance.

Best regards, Andrea

Hi, will I be ok with my harmonica as it's in the key of C? I've only just bought it.

Thanks

  Hiya,

I'd like to jam to tunes in the keys of C and D

Are the low holes in these keys bendable? 

I have tried a Manji which only goes a little under a half step on the 2 draw

and an olive which has no bend whatsoever on the low holes.

Would brass reeds bend better on the low draws, or is it just a matter of technique?

I'm thinking of a 

Thunderbird in F (NOT low LOW F, or the normal F which is way too high... Just  F below middle C)

and a Delux for G.

Also, I'm assuming that the G tuning for the deluxe is continue reading...

I watched your Video and Mr. Filisko's video I don't know how many times but still can't seem to get my hands in the right position. I see that your wrist aren't bent and the Harmonica stays stright with your elbows tucked. I like Mr. Filisko's way but yet again I cannot get my other hand around to close it off. 

I am putting this in this forum because you guys make it look so easy, even your students make it look easy. I don't want bad form to start, I am starting out as an older player as it is.

  continue reading...

Hello David,

Can you please clear my doubts about this?:

Example 1.10 (really cool grove by the way) bar 10 is transcribed like 4+ (1234) 4+,

but looking at the staff and by the way you play it, shouldn't it be 4+ (1+2+3+4+) 4+ ?

Thanks in advance!

Hi David.  The one of the scale, the root note, sounds good with any of the I, IV or V chords in a typical blues progression.  Why does the one of the scale sound good with the V chord? continue reading...

I just bought Hohner's marine band in key of A. So a lot of instructors reccomend, especially to the newbies like me harmonicas in key of C. Also the majority of them actually plays in that key most of the time. Is it still ok try to learn with an A instead of C, or i should definitely switch to C?  

Thank you!

I just bought Hohner's marine band in key of A. So a lot of instructors reccomend, especially to the newbies like me harmonicas in key of C. Also the majority of them actually plays in that key most of the time. Is it still ok try to learn with an A instead of C, or i should definitely switch to C?  

Thank you!

David Hi continue reading...

As a beginner with bending, I'm having a lot of trouble, especially with holes 2 and 3, so besides watching Bending Study 1 I did a little research to see how other players teach tongue-blocking bending. So I found this site with this set of instructions:

  continue reading...