Ask Instructor David Barrett

Nose-breathing... how bad is it?  how to prevent/reduce it? continue reading...

Hi David,

I'm currently working through the fourth LoA level. As my main motivation for learning the harmonica has been playing country-style tunes, when do you think is the best time to start practicing that alongside the Blues?

(It is my opinion that both are needed because one is overall better suited for the happy mood while the other is well bluesy)

Do you recommend taking special courses or do you think having passed some LoA levels should be enough for learning the Country music on my own?

Hi David 

just getting started 

in your beginner lesson you describe that I need an A key harmonica 

I have a C 

will this make a difference in the lesson ?

bruce 

Hi David,

I'm around 2 months into lessons and have been moving back and forth between all the lesson modules.  I'm loving the learning process.

Independently, I had noticed that many songs can be played on both the A Harp and C Harp using the same holes.  The tones would be higher or lower, but the song would essentially sounf the same. I had assumed that the tones (notes) were the same for holes on each harp, just in different octaves. continue reading...

David Hi and my apologies if you have dealt with this but I can find anything related to my query.

Im trying to better understand some music theory. The Chromatic scale or more specifically the comparison of the chromatic scale as shown on the chromatic harp and the diatonic starting on hole one.

 My understanding of the definition of the chromatic scale is “the use of notes a semitone apart”. ?? continue reading...

Hello,

i just joined this website and i own 2 Lee oscar Harmonicas D,E iut i am not getting the smae sound as the lessons. should i get a different key harmonica to start with?

if so which should i star with? 

Hello,

i just joined this website and i own 2 Lee oscar Harmonicas D,E iut i am not getting the smae sound as the lessons. should i get a different key harmonica to start with?

if so which should i star with? 

Hi David, been really enjoying the LoA so far since getting into harmonica recently! Well thought out, easy to follow, and professional looking. I have a quick question regarding breath management.

In e.g. Example 1.11 of Solo Harmonica Study 1, the breathing pattern is such that you spend much more time drawing than blowing. As a beginner, I'm having trouble with so much inhaling and not feeling like I have the time or opportunity to exhale -- even when playing rather softly the lack of exhaling seems to catch up to me.

  continue reading...

David, just a short note of appreciation for your latest study song “Jimmys Reed”  bending study 2.3.  I recommend it. I wasn’t too excited when I first heard it but as I have learned to play it I enjoy it a lot. It makes a great inclusion to my repertoire giving a different feel and mood change. Great thank you.

Hello, David. Hope all is well.

I completed the music theory module of LOA4 and submitted the written test even though I'm no where near finished with LOA4. In the future, do you prefer submissions all at once or piecemeal? I ask because some of the modules permit submissions for evaluation at the conclusion of the module but the music theory module had no such option so I used the test submission screen instead.

Thanks in advance,

Ace