Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi there.

A non-harmonica related question: what equipment do you use to record your lessons?

Looking for good options to both record myself when practicing and my band...

thanks!

David Hi continue reading...

G'day David. Although I have been "playing" for about 4 years I'm completely new to tongue blocking and I'm finding it not quite as difficult as I thought it might be. My question involves "learning" a piece such as Walk with Me. When do you consider the piece has been learned? Is it when the piece can be played competently from the sheet music or when it has been committed to memory? I have always followed the latter but since Walk with Me is the first study I would be a bit surprised if a student picking up a harp for the first time would manage that a week into learning music/harp. continue reading...

Is it easier to learn bending via lip pursing or tongue blocking, or does it matter?

Hi David

As a beginner in playing blues, this is the first course I have considered which I discovered on a label found inside my Hohner Crossover box.

I started the pucker technique playing melodies 6 months ago on my first diatonic harmonica, as I used to play a chromatic with the tongue block years ago as holes were bigger and easier to tongue block but  found pucker easier on the diatonic,  but now realising I should have stuck with the tongue block. continue reading...

I noticed in Sharon's latest video lesson that she was holding the harp one-handed with her right hand as she played through the first three choruses of "Temperature". I assume this is acceptable in lieu of using a left hand only hold. I have a damaged rotator cuff in my left shoulder which surgery went as far as it could to fix, but using a left hand only hold causes me pain. I have much less pain there when using a 2 hand hold, but it is still present. continue reading...

Hi David,

I just saw the following passage on the Lessons page:

"There is a testing fee for the full LOA program, but keep in mind that you’re always welcome to submit study material to me (David Barrett) at no cost… it’s part of your subscription and I’m here to help"

Tht seems pretty clear but I just want to clarify, can I send you a recording of a song I have completed in order to get some feedback?

Thanks

Hello David,

when I try to bend with the tongue block technique it feels like almost all of the air passes to the right of the tongue so that raising the tongue in the middle or the back has almost no effect (At least not enough to achieve a full bend, which works quite ok when I'm puckering). What am I doing wrong?

I would be glad if you could help.

Best regards

uWeb

Duplicate: Forum admin PLEASE DELETE (I'm sorry, but I don't find anything to delete the duplicate by myself)

Hello David,

when I try to bend with the tongue block technique it feels like almost all of the air passes to the right of the tongue so that raising the tongue in the middle or the back has almost no effect (At least not enough to achieve a full bend, which works quite ok when I'm puckering). What am I doing wrong?

I would be glad if you could help.

Best regards

uWeb

Duplicate: Forum admin PLEASE DELETE (I'm sorry, but I don't find anything to delete the duplicate by myself)

Hello David,

when I try to bend with the tongue block technique it feels like almost all of the air passes to the right of the tongue so that raising the tongue in the middle or the back has almost no effect (At least not enough to achieve a full bend, which works quite ok when I'm puckering). What am I doing wrong?

I would be glad if you could help

Best regards

uWeb