Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David,

I'm practising Solo harmonica Study 2, Examples1.6 to 1.8, and there are many flutters on eighth notes. I cannot physically achieve that and to be honest I cannot hear the flutter when you play the examples. Any tips on how to achieve it? Many thanks.

Hello David,

I am really learning a lot from your lessons! However, I hope you can help with a technique question. Here goes... continue reading...

Hi Dave,

I am preparing myself for the Level 2 test, still have some work to do on the music theory, and have just begun the accompaniment section homework.

On the 'begin test' page, under accompaniment playing study 2, it says to do the charleston rythm from 1.12, but 1.12 doesn't show up. It goes from 1.10 to 2.1. 

Please advise.

Thanks

Saul

Hi Dave,

I am preparing myself for the Level 2 test, still have some work to do on the music theory, and have just begun the accompaniment section homework.

On the 'begin test' page, under accompaniment playing study 2, it says to do the charleston rythm from 1.12, but 1.12 doesn't show up. It goes from 1.10 to 2.1. 

Please advise.

Thanks

Saul

Hi David,

I'm new to the site and I'm really enjoying learning how to play. I'm having one problem. my harmonica plays well as I'm running  through the exercises a couple times, but after several minutes certain reeds get stuck. They eventually seem to free up but it is a major distraction. 1) any idea why this is happening. 2) what is the best way to free up unblock the reeds. This has happened on two A harmonicas. A Special 20 and an East Top.

thanks,

kevin

Hi David,

I'm new to the site and I'm really enjoying learning how to play. I'm having one problem. my harmonica plays well as I'm running  through the exercises a couple times, but after several minutes certain reeds get stuck. They eventually seem to free up but it is a major distraction. 1) any idea why this is happening. 2) what is the best way to free up unblock the reeds. This has happened on two A harmonicas. A Special 20 and an East Top.

thanks,

kevin

Hi David,

I'm new to the site and I'm really enjoying learning how to play. I'm having one problem. my harmonica plays well as I'm running  through the exercises a couple times, but after several minutes certain reeds get stuck. They eventually seem to free up but it is a major distraction. 1) any idea why this is happening. 2) what is the best way to free up unblock the reeds. This has happened on two A harmonicas. A Special 20 and an East Top.

thanks,

kevin

Howdy,

I'm just getting started, and the first fundamental lessons say we can go do tongue blocking exercise 1.5. It's the C scale and there's a picture underneath of the layout of a C harmonica. The intro says we should be using an A. The rest of the exercises (to a rank beginner), also look like they should be a C.

Am I wrong?

Thanks,

  -- taters

David:

I bought a USB microphone and installed Audacity - Audacity version 2.3.3 does not at all match the tutorial on the Equipment tab.

I have figured out how to record harmonica via the microphone with Audacity , but I can not figure how to record while playing the backing track.

Thanks

Hi David,Regarding accompaniment study 4, I was wondering what notes we should target apart from other notes from the chord to signal chord changes. Would the notes from the next chord be a good idea and they will fit the current chord in the background? Many thanks,Eddie