Ask Instructor David Barrett

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...

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