Ask Instructor David Barrett

David:

In your list:    top_equipment_picks_8_10_2018.pdf

you note that the Laney Cub 10 at $299 as your #1 pick.

The prices I am finding for the Laney Cub 10 range from $330 (+ $25 Shipping) to $420 (Free Shipping)

Does the higher price affect your ranking? If so, by how much?

THanks

Hello,

I've been training the score Walk With Me for a week now and I think I'm doing all right, having a lot of fun. My tone is quite good, but I really can't play a nice vibrato as is heard in the MP3 recordings. When I play the notes they are loud and flat, but when I hear the recording it sounds so relaxed and with 'soul'. Can you give me some tips on how to play with volume (how do I control it) and how to properly do the vibrato?

Hello,

I've been training the score Walk With Me for a week now and I think I'm doing all right, having a lot of fun. My tone is quite good, but I really can't play a nice vibrato as is heard in the MP3 recordings. When I play the notes they are loud and flat, but when I hear the recording it sounds so relaxed and with 'soul'. Can you give me some tips on how to play with volume (how do I control it) and how to properly do the vibrato?

David, Hi.  New student/old player here (off/on since 1994).  Mostly self-taught, though I've been following Adam Gussow for nearly a year now.  By his standards, I'd classify myself a "Advanced Beginner" or "Beginning Intermediate".  Being self-taught (mostly), I have many learning gaps and a few bad habits to overcome.  My sense of timing is horrible, especially if trying to swing, and I know very little about blues structure/music theory (hence my question).  I'm starting at the beginning to fill in the gaps. continue reading...

Dear David, I hope you are well. I am a new harmonica player and just received a Hohner Marine Band Harmonica in key of G. continue reading...

Just signed up for my first lessons. I received a C Special 20 harmonica but you suggest using one in A.  Will the lessons be difficult if I'm transposing all the time because I don't have the recommended key?

I have several questions, I    am hoping to improve my playing,  do you offer any teaching  programs if people visit your studio.?

also I have 3 different harmonicas, 2 different brands.  I now would like a D harmonica. 

should i stick to Hohner ?  what type of Horner? Crossover?

thanks So much

Jackie

Hi David, hope all is well.

I'm starting the music theory module of LOA4 while I finish learning Buffet Line. In reviewing the materials, it seems the videos are the same as the music theory modules in LOAs 1-3. In comparing LOA1 with LOA4, for example, all the music theory topics appear to be the same. Am I correct in this? Is this for purposes of repetition or am I missing something? Are there any key differences I should focus on in the music theory modules of the LOAs 1-4?

Thanks in advance,

Ace

Hi David!

In the 3rd Chorus, 9th bar in "Blues For Paul Delay" I'm tempted to tongue switch from the 8 hole to the 4 hole.  Tonge swich from 4 to 1 is no problem for me but will probably would take a little practice to get comfortable with tonge switching higher notes and I was wondering if you thought it was worth it.  Do you recommend tonge switching there?  Or is it easier to just jump from 8 to4?

Thanks!

Mike

 3-hole draw problem solved.

My first harmonica was a Hohner Marine Band in key of C.

It came with free lessons. Lessons, of course, start in key of A.

Being cheap, I purchased a 7 harmonica set (made in China) for 1/2 the price of a Hohner Marince Band.

I wondered if my draw problem was related to the quality of the China harmonica, so I ordered a Hohner in key of A (hard to find at this time of year, for some reason.)

My Hohner A key arrived this afternoon. continue reading...