Ask Instructor David Barrett

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...

I keep playing songs and seeing the plus after a nummber. what does that mean?

Hi David - I'm struggling with a clean three draw unbent.  It seems I can't get the pitch up to where it needs to be without leaking in some air - either through my nose or my lips or corner of my mouth.  Bending is no problem but not bending is.  Any suggestions? Betty

Hi David, hope all is well.

As you may recall, I just recently finished improvising study 1 in LOA 4. I really wanted to jump right into the improv lesson so I started Buffet Line to keep me in practice. I would thereby continue playing while also learning improv as well. 

It has been a bit slow going, though, given the improv module, recent travel, and the holidays. I am now on bar 9 of chorus 5, so just over 1/2 to conclusion. My question concerns how to address this along with LOA4. continue reading...

Hello, new student here.

First, I'm So impressed by the site. I'm really enjoying starting to understand the theory behind the way music sounds.  It absolutely changes the way you hear music. continue reading...

Hi David, 

Is there a place on the website where we can find all of the backing tracks? I know that they accompanying particular songs, but I was wondering if the tracks are all collected in one place. Thank you. 

Eric