Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David:

came across octaves in the strut. which lesson and instruction covers octaves. i cant seem to find it.

Excited for the new series! Thanks for doing it. Is the Audix Fireball on the docket for review? I  think it’s a moderately popular choice for newer players. I’ve got one that I bought early in my playing, and I’m pretty wishy-washy on it. I’d love to hear your thoughts. 

HI David,

 You probably have answered this question 1000 times but here goes:

 I am working on "The Strut".  Using the TB embouchure I can make the 2 hole full step bend and the one hole half step bend on the D harmonica.  However I cannot make those bends on my G harmonica.

 Is that common with beginners?  Do issues like that go away as my benidng becomes stronger?

 Thanks

In example 1.6 we are to fill in scale degrees based on C major scale in place of pitch names including bends. Some of that would be unknown to me. For example on Hole 1 =  1 Blow would be C Scale degree 1. 1 Draw would be D Scale degree 2. 1 Draw bent 1/2 step would be Db, but what scale degree is that - 1 1/2??  Also I am guessing that  on the Whole Step Bend line holes 2 & 3 would be degrees 4 (F) and hole 3 would be degree 6 (A)

David Hi

Working on my solo harmonica exercises I realised that I was playing the 3rd and 4th measure as I was hearing it (I think) and not as written (2 3 4 5+ 6+ 5 5+ 4 with pulls). As usual when in doubt I referred to the lesson with Ryan. In that video you pointed out that there is a change in the 4th measure so that accounted for what I was hearing and matched what I have been playing rather than what is noted in the PDF. I rather like the change. Should I play as noted or as per your playing example.

Hey David,

I remember seeing something on the sith about playing over the Stormy Monday changes. That would come in handy right now but I can't find it.  How can I access it?

Thanks,

Tom

David Hi. Im working on study song The Split (really enjoying it) but wanted assurance that a draw pull rather than  a blow pull was not only acceptable to you but did not negatively change the tune. I am referring to chorus 1,2,7,8 measures 3 and 6. Also changing the draw pull to a blow pull in chorus 3 measures 5 and 6.  Whilst I can manage these last two measures I find the blow less of a tongue twister if I stick to blow pulls. continue reading...

Hi, i've seen your startup video for beginners and you said that all lessons was only for the "A" harmonica. I only got an "C" one and im just wondering if there is any other beginner lessons for "C" or what should i do?

Im new to instruments so I don't know sh*t. I Hope you understand my english.

Regards - Mikael

Good afternoon sir,

I am brand new at learning the harmonica, but have been spending some time practicing puckering for a single note rather than tongue blocking. I was hoping to see which is more perferred and why? I know this may be a really basic question, but all the lessons that I tried finding seem to be split on the two.

Thank you for your time

Very Respectfully,

Travis

Hi Dave,

I'm really struggling getting five-hole octaves right. Do you have any tips I might try beyond what is in the lesson videos?

I'm working with a tuner to try to determine when I've got the correct embouchure. With my F harp, I'll blow 7-10 to get the F, and then try to widen for the 6-10 draw and get the D, but I rarely get it clean if at all.

Like all new techniques, I'm sure I'll get it figured out eventually if I keep plugging away at it, but this is particularly frustrating because I can't really determine what I'm doing wrong.

Thank much.