Ask Instructor David Barrett

David,  continue reading...

David, 

I’m currently working on LOA3 and hope to finish it by summers end. I have a set of Sp20s in G, A and C. Will I need any new keys in the near future, say for LOA4 or LOA5?  Also, what would constitute a full set for a non performer? Will I need or should I get any other keys? 

Thenls in advance, 

Ace 

Hello David, 

I had a question about what you would recommend as the most effective method of cleaning and maintaining a Hohner Marine Band harmonica. I’ve been playing it about an hour a day for the last four months and it may not be due for cleaning quite yet but I imagine it will soon. 

I’ve watched a couple videos on how to clean a harmonica that involve taking it apart but the screws on the cover plate are microscopic and the grooves are too small even for an exacto knife to unscrew them.  continue reading...

Hello David.

I'm looking at buying a delay pedal and have seen a old danelectro Dan echo for 50 pound .do you think it's worth buying something new or is it a good pedal

Hey, David, this is Jack Ferguson. I started learning the basics of the harmonica recently using your Levels of Achievement lessons. I have really enjoyed my time watching your videos. In addition to this, I have been following along with your lessons with Sharon. I'm posting today to ask more about how to structure my studies. Basically what I have been doing is watching the same videos over and over and playing when prompted to play by you. Its a little bit challenging getting experience from watching the videos so I was wondering what I should be doing my time to practice. continue reading...

David, What does the italicized 3 above the 4 hole draws mean in Solo Harmonica 2 Ex. 1.5.

Pat Telzrow

Hi David,

I am struggling a little on the 5th Chorus. The first part is in bar 2 with the 5 5' 1234 pull and 5+, my problem in particular is trying to get the 5' then the pull. Not that it ia a true bend. I find my embouchure is all over the place trying to lower the 5 even a bit.

The second part I'm struggling with is still on the 5th Chorus from bar 9, where my lungs are bursting with air usually before I get to the 8th rest. Is there any room for getting rid of air before the rest?

Regards

Alan

Hello David .

I was given a behringer blue devil amp .I was wondering if you or anyone you know has had any experience with them  or if any good for harmonica

Thanks

I don't have any question, at least for now. I just want to say thank you for such a great job with this website. I've been here just for ten days and I have improved a lot, specially with tongue blocking, which I had no idea how to do it before and that's because of your great teaching method....That´s all I wanted to say, I hope you continue with such incredible work.

First off, I am loving your lessons so far! I'm working through the Theory of Music - 1 lessons of late, and have a question about bending. You mention that as we perform a bend, that essentially we are using both the draw and blow reeds on that hole. I would gather from this that double-reed harmonicas (such as the Hohner Echo and Comet) would not be "bendable"? That the construction of 2 blow (or draw) reeds on that single split hole would prevent a person from bending these?

Thanks for an amazing site and great lessons!