Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi there,

I'm just getting started and having fun so far but...

I'm having a real hard time getting the harmonica to 'slide' in my mouth... if I try to slide I end up literally deforming my mouth because the lips stick in place! In your lessions you say make sure the instrument is wet - when I try that it works, but only lasts about a few notes and then it's all dry and sticky again...... what am I doing wrong ? continue reading...

Hi there,

I'm just getting started and having fun so far but...

I'm having a real hard time getting the harmonica to 'slide' in my mouth... if I try to slide I end up literally deforming my mouth because the lips stick in place! In your lessions you say make sure the instrument is wet - when I try that it works, but only lasts about a few notes and then it's all dry and sticky again...... what am I doing wrong ? continue reading...

LOA 5 Improvising Study 1 early in the Chorus Forms study after covering AAA, AAAAAA and Ax12 you say for homework assignment to record yourself to a 12 bb jam track using licks from study songs or make up your own and submit it for review. I did this and when went to submit it said Non Study songs are not permissable. Am I to wait until I cover all the chorus form lesson and finally create my own original instrumental and then submit as part of LOA 5 test?

Hi,

Have just started learning, have a Blues harp in C , all holes play and sound really nice, I have as well a New Marine Band harp in A and within 30minutes of practice holes 2, 3 inhale sound dull and flat !      

Not sure if I should take it back , they played fine for 20 minutes then sounded not so good ! ! All other holes are ok.

??

Glen

I have a C harmonica and no way of getting a different type (at least in the near future, long story). The thing is i found out after 5 days of training the #1 LOA;

So, my question is does it matter its the wrong key? i Want to be able to play and i am learning all the moves either way, not to mention that the examples and songs in my opinion dont sound bad in C; As far as i saw the study for C harmonicas in LOA1 is almost identical to the other videos

Hi David,

I injured my neck (broken vertebra) and I have to wear a cervical collar the next couple of months. I can't make quick movements with my head, which prevents me doing shakes or quick jumps over holes. I can do some of my study materials (LOA 4), but not everything.

Would you recommend what should I focus on to use the time until I'am fully fit again (2-3 months) as best as I can? I plan to work more on my tone, scales and other theory based stuff, improvisation etc, but if you could point me to more possible directions, your advice would be very welcome. continue reading...

I am surprised how much playing I need to do to "stay on the top of my game".

I've played Gary's Blues maybe 300 times, and yet if I don't do it for several days, I will make mistakes if I play it again.

Half of my practices now are just repeating the 3 songs which I have already learned.

It feels like I have to do 3-5 repeats before I play OK-ish to my friends.

I thought it would be like riding a bycicle - once you learned it, you can't forget it.

Harmonica I do forget - quickly.

Is it just the way itworks? continue reading...

LOA 5 Solo Harmonica Study 3  Ex 2.2  4th measure I hear on the video (not including pulls}  6+  -5    5+  -4 whereas the musical notation is 6+  5+  4   3.  Either way sounds good so I'm sure it doesn't matter but wondered if I was hearing correctly.  You've put some challenging stuff in all of these examples and I'm really working hard on accurate 3 draw 1/2 and whole step bends.  Thanks for this course, David.

David, I'm right hand dominant. In the lesson "holding the harmonica" you say to hold with left hand..cup with right. when initially picked up the harmonica i used my right. years ago i toyed and most likely held with right probably why i do same now. do i need to switch it up and retrain or continue to  hold right cup left? I have arthritis in both hands , my left 3rd fourth and 5th fingers seem more effected. thinking that cupping with left hand would be easier as i won't need to close that hand smaller. How would this be detrimental ? or not ? continue reading...

This is a great series. Really helps to choose among a growing offer. May I suggest you review the Audix Fireball V, at your convenience of course, touted as a harmonica/beatbox microphone, although a little pricy?

Also, what about the Hohner Blues Blaster, has it gone out of production?