Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David, I've progressed well with my tongue blocking single notes so far... Once warmed up I can comfortably play holes 3 to ten in single notes in sequence, whilst also being able to play the hole 4 to 7 major scale in C. I however can't get a good sound trying to use the tongue technique on holes 1 and 2 for single notes... I find it quite awkward to play those notes from the right side of my mouth. How do you personally play holes 1 and 2 as single notes? Is it ok to lip perse them and transition to tongue blocking for hole 3? continue reading...

Hi David,

In the last comment of the Steve Baker's interview in the Movement Exercises Study - Essential Scales, he says that when he plays, his mind is completely blank and that it is not an intellectual exercise.  continue reading...

Hi David,

would you please clarify the assignment of the Improvising Study 1 for LOA 4 test? It reads: "Take a lick from one of your study songs (or create your own) and play it to a jam track of your choosing as all five Chorus Forms (seven if you count the three ways to perform B)."

What exactly are those 5 chorus forms? Does it mean:

1. AAA without fills
2. AAA with fills
3. AAB without fills
4. AAB with fills
5. A B/A C with or without fills, with possible variants of B

Am I right, or did you mean something dfferent? continue reading...

Hi there, new guy here I've been playing for about 18 months (self taught) and started the LOA program a few days ago wanting to learn TB and improve my playing strictly a pucker player until now. I see the TB song ex. #1 gets right into tremelo I also want to learn that but can't find any instruction or tips on how to delvope that skill. Is there something here on tremelo/vibrato ? And I'm not sure what the difference is between them. 

Thanks

I just started using Harp Ninja and am having an extremely difficult time managing to play in tune.  I try changing the shape of my mouth, my embouchure, tonge position, playing louder, playing softer and I don't come anywhere near the center - especially on the four hole blow and draw (not bent).  I set it at 10%. Have you got any tips?  Thanks for all your great lessons!

Hello, I've always admired the harmonica and was pleasantly surprised when my husband stopped by a music store and bought one for me.  He is as clueless as I am about them, so he relied on the store personnel to guide him.  He purchase a "C" not an "A."  What puzzles me is the literature included with the harmonica from you and I don't have the correct chord(?)/key(?) for these lessons.  Is there a lesson site for "C?"  Thank you.

Hello David,

In the exercises 2.3 and 2.4 of the Accompaniment Study #4, you emphasize the need for spending some time going up to hole six playing the chord notes (one hole at the time).

At the hole 5, would you recommend going down to hole 4 to get the D necessary for chord I and V?

Also, I barely manage to get the mental focus to play the right chord note for the first two holes, throwing fills in there is a whole new level. How comfortable should we be with 2.3 and 2.4 to start exercise 4 and the song? 

Thank you. continue reading...

Hi David

I'm really enjoying your course and after a couple of weeks I'm starting to play some decent sequences of riffs and licks.

In the video lesson for Solo Study 1 Ex 1.2 you play your own favourite pattern where you add a cool extra section to the notes provided on the sheet. Please will you share the tabs for the extra section of notes that you play.

Thanks

Doug

Hi David- 

Is the tip of the tounge supposed to be in front of, or behind the teeth of the bottom jaw during tounge blocking?

btw - i am enjoying your lessons a lot! 

Thanks,

Micha

hi

i was watching the vi'deo from soloharmonica stdy 3, exemple 1.2 

around 0:45 is said:2 blow, 5 blow, 8 blow....those are the major third of the four chord.

i think i may had or had not understand that.

in a C harmonica those notes (2 blow, 5 blow, 8 blow) would be E correct?

in the second position, c harmonica, we would be playing in the key of G, so the fourth chord would be C, the major third would be E, correct?

i understand it correctly or there is some mistake?

thanks!