Ask Instructor David Barrett

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...

Hello David,

Can you please recommend me some exercises I could include in my daily routine that would help me develop, "polish" and automate my tremolo (both on the inhale and on the exhale) ?

Thanks in advance!

Hello David,

As a typical example I have the last 4 bars of chorus 3 of the studdy song "Temperature".

It seems much easier to me to move my jaw when switchinh between holes 1 and 2.

Is that "OK" or should I really aim for moving the harmonica instead od moving my jaw when doing that specific switch?

I guess I will soon have the same dilema for 9 and 10, but that will come later.

Thanks in advance!

Hello David or anybody that can give me a hand!

I have a harmonica in C and I would love to play the part of the accordion in this song "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgozJRbwKfM" wich starts in the minute 1:26 to the 1:58, but I cant find the music sheet anywhere. Does anybody know how to transcript the notes?. I really love this song and it means a lot.

Thanks a lot this page is awesome!!

I've been using Garage Band a lot for the harmonica, to practice and to record me for LOA performance tests. For LOA 1, Walk With Me song, I was ok with the standard microphone, but yesterday I was recording some versions of Temperature for LOA 2 and the recording just sounded flat and not what I actually hear when I'm playing. continue reading...

Hi!

i am Francesco, beginner following the first lesson. You suggested to use harmonica A. I have only a key G harmonica. Is that ok?