Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hello,

First, I wanted to thank you for all your teachings. You have made a huge difference my harmonica learning.

I wanted to try to reconcile what I think are contradicting points of view on the role of moving the jaw to reach notes in the harmonica. In your (old) video, you recommend moving the jaw side to side to reach notes while tongue blocking to get good tone (Minute 4:35)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s08HUfIPIqE

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Hi David,

as I am working on Exercise 1 (tongue blocking), I wonder what to do with my tongue when going one hole further up or down the harp. Do I take the tongue completely off the harp, or do I just release some pressure and "slide" to the next holes?

Thanks in advance, Peter

Hi Dave,

I’m learning to play the song, Gary’s Blues.  I like your playing of Gary’s Blues amplified and it has me loving the sound.  Is there any way to get this sound using a paddle or something else without spending lots of money; something that can be fed into the house PA.  Because of my inexperience and lack of remaining years, I can’t justify spending lots of money on a tube amp. continue reading...

I am working on Level 4 - Improvising Study.

For A B/A C chorus form, you ask for the 3rd example to use the "Sequence" technique.  You indicate to go to Blues Music Theory section to learn how to do this. I can not find that lesson on the site.  Can you indicate where exactly I can locate that section?   Thank you.

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

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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