Ask Instructor David Barrett

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?

David sorry to hassle you on such a small issues but it is bugging me. I have looked on the site for the answer but just cant locate it. I know its there but..

What is the interpretation (how should it be played) of the small dot between the lines on the staff following a note. eg Blues for Paul de Lay  first line first bar 4'  4    then the .

Embarrassed to ask but its bugging me.

Hello! 

Where to find a link to this material?

"The Artist Study of Jerry Portnoy with his song "Blues for Big Nate" will be unlocked when you successfully complete LOA-L1... this is a slow blues in the key of E, played in 2nd Position on the A Diatonic Harmonica."

Thanks.

Hi David,

Regarding LoA3 file submission  I'm a bit uncertain how many files ( ex 1.7 to 2.4) we have to submit. Do we have to submit 1 or 4 files.

Kindly avise.

Thank you and

BR Erhard

Hi David, I'm new to BluesHarmonica.com and I'm loving the amount and depth of material that you made for the site. When watching the steps that come up in LOA (web) vs the steps that come up in LOA (PDF Quick reference guide) I found little differences, in the PDF it shows a movement excercise 2 and on the web shows a movement excercise 1, thought it might have been a typo but turns own they are 2 different things. and neither comes up on the other list. Which one should I do? or which list should I follow?... continue reading...