Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David,

Got any tips when it comes to switching between Chromatic and Diatonic in both directions with mic?

I'm working on "The Big One" ie the 5th and final Chromatic lesson. I've managed to get the switch acoustically but when holding the mic too, all hell sets in. Looking for a good way of dealing with this so that I don't end up throwing the harps across the room accidentally. =:0

Thanks,

Graham

David,

Do you have a tentative schedule of any Workshops you would be hosting or participating in during 2024?

I would love to plan to get on my schedule!

Thanks.

Hello David,

I hope you are keeping well.

I have started to delve into chromatic harmonica again, after a few years of mostly playing diatonic.  I thought I would begin again by starting with lesson one, No Sweat, as a refresher. 

You mention in the videos that, as with diatonic, the slap is the default way of playing single notes.  In listening to the recording of No Sweat, however, it is difficult to tell when you are slapping and which notes.  Also, the PDF does not indicate where to slap. continue reading...

Hello David

I was wondering if you could confirm my understanding of the triplet quarters, please.

Working on Chorus 3 of Gary's Blues, bar 4, I keep missing the beat on the triplet quarter at the end of the measure, so I've revisited Rhythm Training sections 6 and 13 on Triplets and Triplet Quarters to try and work out how to count it.

What I've come up with is: (1+a 2+a) for the half note, followed by (3+) for the rest, (a 4)(+a) for the two quarter notes of the triplet that are played as the pick-up into the next measure. 

Is that right?

Thanks Joel

Hello David!

I know there are many topics with this problem and I have also seen the video with the instructions regarding the 2 draw.I have an A and a C harmonica. Is it possible to make it on C and not on A? (both are hohner special 20 progressive).I would also like to ask you which harmonica i'll use for the first level of achievement. C harmonica or A? continue reading...

David,

I have a really hard time getting the 2 hole draw to sound on pitch without opening my nasal passage.  Two questions here:

1. What's wrong with opening my nasal passage here?  The pitch and tone sound better to me that way.

2. What's so special about the 2 hole?  It doesn't matter what key or make of harp I try.  It's always the 2 hole that gives me this problem.

Thanks,

Julian

Hi David, continue reading...

Hello David

I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction for doing some background reading/research into what goes into distinguishing the different rhythms commonly used in blues music - shuffle, swing, rumba etc.

I'm at the stage now where I can "feel" the beat/rhythm of the 12-bar blues and play along (most of the time) without having to count every single beat, and can hear that the rhythms are different, but if I listen to a backing track or any given blues song without looking, I have no idea which of the above it is. continue reading...

Hi David!

Thanks a lot for all the great material you are providing, your site is of great help in my harmonica studies :) however, after playing most days a little for a few months, my tremolo still sounds terrible. I am able to do tremolo on blow and draw and with different tempo, but it sounds rather mecanic, not like a sine wave but rather like the air is coming out of the harmonica in regular puffs. I don't now if you get what I mean here, but I'd love some advice/exercises to help improving the technique!

Best,Ellen

Hello David, a new and i hope interesting question.I always sound like im playing pop music....not your study songs but when i play other tunes .I can hit bends but i just dont sound like im playing blues.So i have been tightening the embrochure on the whole tune to get  a more minor 3rd sound..if this makes sense.

But i dont think this is gonna help my tone playing tighter. I hear others play improv and the whole riff sounds just so blue but mine sounds like pop music with a three draw half step.  continue reading...