Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David,

I am practicing the study song "Feelin for the Blues" (Bending study #2) with the A harmonica. continue reading...

what does the 7 next to the roman numeral chord mean?

I only have a C harmonica not an A harmonica.

Hi David

Just a couple of things,

I’m almost there with Temperature in LOA 2, it’s been a struggle with some of it with the double notes section but can play along at normal speed with you but still lose my timing when playing with the jam track.

I’ve just recently aquired a Fender Blues Jr iv and a bulletini mic which I’m getting on okay but I get the sound of my tongue passing over the comb even with a light touch, I don’t get this sound acoustic just amplified, any tips please would be grateful. 

Seasons Greetings from Scotland 

Roger continue reading...

David,

I am very technical, scientific person.

Music was a mistery for most of my life. To play an instrument was like flying into space - something out reach, only for special people.

Yet recently I played harmonica for my friends, and they liked it.

Then I jammed with another friend who plays guitar. Just one song. We didn't fully match, but then we did - it was awesome.

Now I am COMPSING an instrumental. Just few licks, but they sound so good.

These are increadible achievement for me, I still cannot believe it. continue reading...

Hi David,

I've got a question - and perhaps I'm missing something but - in Ex. 1.11 (and the corresponding lecture associated with it) we are being asked to study/memorize the notes on a "C" harmonica, however the subsequent piece that is offered for practice is for an "A" harmonica. 

Is there something I am missing here? Why aren't we being asked to study/memorize the notes on an "A" harp, particularly the locations of the i IV & V's ?

I'm sure it's something easy, and look forward to your comments.

G~

Hi David,in bending study #2, Feelin' for the Blues song, 5th Chorus end, there is the two note combination 12. Having studied the pulls (tongue blocking study #3) for me it is instinctive to play the 12 combination as a pull. Do you think it is OK or it is better to play the combination without the pull?Thank you in advance, Stefano

I am working on Improvising Study 1 - chorus forms with fills.

I have a 4-bar lick = 3 active bars + 1 bar rest.

I try to fill the rest bar, and most of my ideas end up rhytmically same as the main lick (i.e not very different in character). I don't feel enough space to fit something "different" except maybe, a "lead up" to another measure.

Would you fill the 1 bar rest, or would you shorten the lick to 2 bars, and then have whole 2 bars for filling?

  continue reading...

Dear Instructo,

I’m an Italian and I speak English but frankly speaking I’m not able to understand 100% of  your video. My question is : I have done the exercise for the tongue blocking and during blowing I’m able to cover the holes 1-3 and produce the  4 sound but if I draw nothing sound . I breathe the air but it seem the it pass about the Harmonica.  Where is the mistake?

thank you fo your help

Hi David,

I‘d like to upgrade by VHT Special 6 speaker. Would you recommend the same Weber that you recommend in the videos about upgrading the Laney Cub 10 speaker? People always seem to mention the Eminence Lil Buddy when talking about upgrading this amp. 

Thanks very much!