Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi  I have a G and a C harp- where do you suggest I start in the lessons? Thanks Patti

I've been watching the Hob Bosold study videos which seems to be very helpful for me. But I would like to know how long the time is between lessons to give me a reference for my own progress. Was each lesson every week or every month?  Thank you.

Did Forest City Joe use side to side tongue flutter?

I've been practicing for about 3 weeks with a new Hohner Special 20 in A, and draw 2 and 3 are now hard to draw. 2 draw has no sound and 3 draw sounds extremely flat already. They used to work fine. I'm not drooling in the harmonica when I practice and I'm definately not playing hard and loud. I've even tried the pucker technique and can't get them to sound. I viewed the harp tech lessons on this site and took it apart...there's no debris in the reeds that I can see and they all look normal. They are centered over the comb openings and play when I flick them. continue reading...

Are you still selling the harmonica case that mounts to a mic stand?

David,

Hope all is well. I have a question about Buffet Line. The notations contain a small circle over given notes along with the words "open" and "close". I'm aware that the circles denote slaps but I don't undertand the meanings of "open" and "close". Perhaps this was explained but I missed it. Can you elaborate on this?

Hello David,

Well I guess most harmonica players face this dilema sooner or later, but for me it came rather sooner :)

I think I have overdone my practice yesterday. I was playing for about 6 hours, but...well it is weekend so what more fun to do :)

I am rather new to tongue blocking so I might not be doing something right, cos this morning I woke up and the teeth the lower left corner of my mouth (where most of the action is happening) but also the upper right teeth were huritng. continue reading...

Are there any Solid State Amps worth considering for the Harmonica?

Hello David:

A couple of general questions about the site and how you prefer your students to get feedback.  

1.  Is there a search function somewhere on the site? (I think I saw the answer to my next question but couldn't find it again)

2.  Is the only song study backing track that doesn't include you playing along the track that is at full speed?

3.  Do you mind if students send in parts of study songs for review?

4.  How often do you recommend that students send in clips for your evaluation?

  continue reading...

Hello David,

Here I am with another strange question :).

I am curently practicing chorus number 5 of the "Temperature" song.

I have cume upon a strange (for me) problem.

At a certain point after playing those 2 note combinations for a while I get not only dry lips, but the right side of my tongue gets dry as well.

Considering the intensity of the song at this point it is difficult to find a rest long enough so that I can get my mouth wet + get my lips wet + to get the harp wet. continue reading...