Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David,

I have a couple of questions, the first relating specifically to The LOA Level 2 study song, Temperature and the second, a general question about how best to learn the study songs

  continue reading...

Hey! I've been a U-block player and I'm learing tongue blocking. I'm having difficulty with the first 3 holes with singling them out. With the first hole in perticular, do I put my tongue to the right and blow out the left, If so when and how do I smoothly transition to playing out the right? Or with the first hole Do Ijust have my tongue far left resting on the wood? 

Also I've found my tongue block tone isn't as punchy as my U-block tone. Any tips to having a better tone? 

Thanks in advance!

Hi David,

I have bought a new macbook pro and I don't know how to transfer the Finale app and amazing slow downer from my old mackbook onto the new one. I thought if anyone knows how to do this then you would?

Your help will be very much appreciated.

Many thanks

Saul

Hi, I am practicing the chords with the song,

I want you with me ( version 1) Key of E) A harmonica in 2nd position)

is it safe to say that the triads are as follow?.,

Chord I = E ROOT G 3rd, B 5th 

Chord 4= A root, C 3rd E5th

chord 5= B root D 3rd and F 5th.

since we are in the key of E?

thank you in advance.

Hi David,

I was inspired by your "Harmonica Harmonies" videos in Lesson 6 (Accompaniment), and I really like the sound of the harmonies in your "It Takes Three" song. I have a couple local harmonica friends, and I wondered if this approach could be applied to melodies as well. So, I tried an experiment:

I used the "Temperature" backing track in 'E', and I grabbed my 'A' harmonica in 2nd position, and I recorded a melody for two choruses using Audacity. I wanted a pretty simple medody, so I chose the opening melody to Big Walter's "Easy". continue reading...

G'day David

(I posted this in the wrong forum)

In one of your 1st position video tutorials from a few years back, you mentioned you were making a tutorial aimed at using blow bends in 2nd position.

Did that get made? I can't seem to find it

cheers

Adam

Thank you in advance and also my apology for the followng,

Example 4.6.

If there is a b flat sign at the begining of the ledger, and a Chord does that reads as c flat?

Best.

Hi David,

You explain the use of articulations for fast licks in chorus 4. Does it apply for slower licks, with eight notes, as in chorus 1 for instance? Or in that case is it maybe preferable to use the diaphragm? Feels a bit more difficult to do so but sounds a bit better I think, articulations make it kinda harsh.

You asked for A harp for this study but the music sheet is in C major. You even put a C major note layout in Ex. 1.6.  I checked you recording, it is indeed for A harp. It is very awkward for me to follow. Is there a reason for that?  Thanks 

Hi David,

This is gonna sound very cheeky, but, is there a backing track somewhere for the above? I'm working on Accompaniment playing study 6 and was hoping to be able to record myself doing all three parts, as per your demo.

Thanks,

Graham