Ask Instructor David Barrett

David,

    I know you've written much about the 2 draw but mine was working fine for the first 5 days with my Key of A Hohner MS Blues Harp until yesterday when it just stopped. Nothing. I've tried dropping my jaw more but still nothing. Would you recommend exchanging it? If not, then what? I haven't been able to continue with the 1, 2, 3 hole excercises (which were going fairly well) and I'd like to get back to it!

Thank you,

Alan

Hello,

   In 1.3, 1.8, and 1.11 are you usung a tongue block to the R or a pucker.

Same question on 1.5 when in the first measure you switch from the 3 note

chordw to the 1,2 eigth note draws into the +2, +3, +2 triplet.

Thank you very much,

Alan

Hey David!

I want to ask, if it's possible to bend a note with tongue blocking. And if it's possible, does it work?

Or should I play without tongue blocking?

Because I'm sitting on the Study Song 3 "Feelin' for the Blues" and, like

you know, there are bending notes.

And another question:

I try to work on my tongue agility with tongue blocking study 2.5 and at ex. 1.2 my 2 draw doesn't sound. It's

to quiet and I want to say "pressed". The tone doesn't come out enough. What did I wrong?

  continue reading...

Good Morning David,

So I'm preparing to record and submit my stuff for lessons level one and I've noticed there's a submittal form on the 'walk with me' tongue blocking study #1 page and one on the movement excercise study 1 - paterns page but I don't see any on the pages ( solo harmonica study 1 or music theory study 1). And at the bottom of the level 1 page theres the 'take level 1 test' which seems to encompass the previous 2.

If I want to make one single complete submittal I should just do the 'take the lvl 1 test' and ignore the others ? continue reading...

Hello,

   When tounge blocking to play hole 3 or 2 should I continue keeping my tongue to

the L? 

Hello David,

Should I be tongue blocking blow bends?

Thanks,

Dorothy Riddle

DRiddle289@gmail.com

Mr. Barrett:

Thank you for your time. 

I'd like to write notes on blank staff paper to help me practice some licks.

Do you know of any web sites that are free to use and allow me to write notes on blank staff paper?

Thank you.

Britt  

Hi David,

I'M getting always error codes while uploading my files.

Kindly advise on how to continue.

Thank you 

Erhard

• Hi David , shot you a message a while back about how I feel my improv is progressing or lack of . You suggested I spend a lot of my practice time on taking riffs from study songs and doing that as a good portion of my practice .

Dave, I am comfortable with all bends on all harmonicas, except 1' on G and A.

It feels like it requires more space in the throat than I have. I can hit it accurately occasionally, if I almost swallow my tongue, stretching all muscles in attempt to keep embochure as wide as possible, and choking poing as further from teeth as possible. It requres a lot of muscle work, very open mouth, it feel awkward and tone is gurgling.

Do you have any tips? continue reading...