Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hello David, congratulations for this site!  I´m three weeks whit the lessons and they are very instructives even for my poor english level.

I practice with a Honner Special 20 harp, and I have this problem:  the draw reeds are blocked very often and I can´t draw and make sound. I have to stop, tap the harmonica for remove the saliva, and then I can replay.  But its very very often, I can´t play 12 bars in a row whitout blocking one or several draw reeds.

Am I doing something technically wrong?  Is there any way to avoid it?

Thaks you in advance, continue reading...

Hi

I have just subscrbed to your online lessons. Do you have transcripts of your theory lessons? As these don't contain a practical component, I would like to be able to read the lesson content quickly, homing in on only the bits I need rather than listening to the whole lesson which is quite time consuing. (I have some idea of much of the theory already, having previously played the flute.)

Best wishes

Julie

Hello David,

So I am on Solo harmonica studdy 2 example 2.1.

There are quite some inhale notes and cords there, espacially if I want to repeat the pattern a couple of times I cant help but get fuller and fuller of air that I have trouble dumping out.

I have checked the FAQ breathing hints and also Joe Filisco's lesson on breathing, so am trying to follow the guidelines there but even if I dump all the airat the beginning and as much as I try to keep it out I still get full. continue reading...

I've got pretty good at bending draw holes 1 to 7 on the A harmonica (with just 1 full-step for hole 3), but I don't know why I can't get the full bend for the draw 5! I can go from D to C# + 50% (I'm using a digital tuner) but, if I try to go below it, the reed stops making a sound and it starts to make a weird rattle (I can hear it vibrating inside the harmonica like it's vibrating slow) and my tuner says it's ringing a G (even though it's not hearable). Is something wrong with the harmonica or with my technique? It's the only hole I'm having trouble with.

Hello David.  Hope you and family are safe during these troubling times.  I can't download David's Corner March 2020. Has the format been changed?   

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!