Ask Instructor David Barrett

I am going on a 3 month backpacking trip so I have a couple of questions . I am leaving March 19 so should I just cancel my lessons until I return ? Do you suggest I pack a harmonica ( which key ) and play whenever I have a minute? I have been studing loa 4 I want you with me and the buffet line  (which I have been enjoying ) what and how do you suggest I play or keep practing ? Thank you so much its been the best . I have a month to figure out what I need or should do? 

Hello David:

  continue reading...

Hi David. I'm working on Level 2 and have diverted temporarily into the Level 4 material ( Improvising Study 1) per your suggestion. In EX. 2.1, the last 2 notes are written as +3, +3 and as you state in your video, you play them as 2,2. I've been experimenting a little and find that the sequence +3,2 is a combination that really "gets it". I think it's because the slap on the last note involves the 1,2 draw instead of repeating the 1,2,3 blow. continue reading...

Hi, Dave.  I'm almost ready to graduate from LOA 1, after almost 4 months.  But I have a setback and I'd like some advice.  I bought a Bb Crossover Marine Band so I could play to the TB Ex 4 The Split Jam Track, and I cannot get any sound out of the 8 and 9 holes, primarily draw, no matter how I position my mouth and no matter how softly I draw.  So I'm doing something wrong and I know it's not the harmonica, though I can get those notes from my C (Fender Blues deVille) and my A (Crrossover Marine Band).  Can you point to me to one of the lessons on the web site so continue reading...

Hello David, My name is Ed de Groot and I live in Holland (The Netherlands) I am studying for 1,5 year now and Thomas Toussaint advised me to join your study program. Thomas is my very example because he has a great band in Holland and playes terrific Mondharmonica. continue reading...

Hi David,

In the first chromatic lesson you said that the chromatic is only played with tongue blocking, never with a pucker.  I was wondering why?

Thanks

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