Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hello David,

Two questions regarding tremolo:

1. I can play tremolo on holes 1-5, both draw and blow, and holes 6-10 blow. It's far from perfect, but the basics are there. However I can't play tremolo on holes 6-10 draw. Once I try it, the tone bends and the reed stucks. The key of a harmonica doesn't matter. Is this usual? How to handle this?
2. Does it make sense to practice tremolo with a metronome? I've been trying that to keep tremolo consistent and to increase its speed, but I am not shure, if it is the best way to learn it.

Thank you very much, continue reading...

I was Reading a harmonica post on facebook where the party plays an example lick and then plays the same lick using 9 different techniques. continue reading...

I am a bit confused about the articulation where a blow chord is written but with a symbol indicating a pull. Is this meant to be equivalent to a slap followed by a pull? An example would be in Gary's Blues, second chorus, third note in (+3, +3 then +3+2+1 but with the 3 diagonals indicating a pull).

Hello David,

i am working on the Corus Form Stuff in LOA 5 and i am much enjoying it. What is your opinion on taking a Book like “100 Blues Harmonica Licks you should know” or so to the woodshed and learning some of the Licks, just to get some new Ideas and a greater Vocabular? Must be great Fun to put all that Stuff in AAB Corus Form or ABAC and see what happens :-)

Or is that a waste of time? Should i just go on with the Licks in the practice Songs and try to use the Licks i am hearing on Records?

Hello David:

I recently saw on one of Ryan's lessons that you gave him some jam tracks that you recommend. I can't remember what they were and can't find which lesson it was on again. Would you mind letting me know what your recommendation is for jam tracks? Thank you.

Erik

Hi David

I know it’s a common question but searching through the forum I couldn’t find the exact answers, I can bend most of the notes now but have problems bending to a note on demand except the lowest step bend, and also hole 3 is like trying to suck a potato through a drinking straw which causes a lot of air hissing sounds , just wondering if I’m doing something wrong.

Thanks Roger 

Hi, David. Hope all is well.

I mostly use Sp20s in G, A, and C that I bought at a real good price in a set. I also have a Marine Band in C and a Manji in A. I am curious about trying out other brands, models and keys but really also want to compare apples to apples. My question is premised on the key that will be most used by blues players. I assume that is A, but perhaps I'm wrong. 

So, my question is this: What is the best key to buy in order to compare different harps?

I am a bit confused over how to combine both holes with a draw or pull etc. When I am using hole 1 my tongue is over to the right and for hole 2 it's over to the left. So I now have a problem doing both holes at the same time.

David two things i cant get the flow right with these pieces in solo harmonica 1 and 2, how do i achieve this, secondly ive downloaded audacity, but when i try to download lame mp3 encoader, i get as far as the download page and when i try to download it the page cant be found, ive asked friends who are better at computer problems, buy they are having the same problem. if you can help that would be great thanks

Hi David! I am brand new to this site and the harmonica. I have just begun the first level of achievement and it mentions an A harmonica is needed. However, I only have a C harmonica. Would those excercises still work? 

Cheers, 

Carla