Ask Instructor David Barrett

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

Hello David;

First of all I want to congratulate you on this website, I am really enjoying it. 

My question for you is the follwowing:

I am finishing level one, in one week I ll have ¨walk with me¨ nailed down.

Now, I am very curious about Chromatic harmonica so I was thinking in getting one and fast forward to Level 3 to get a taste of Chromatic and then go back to Diatonic in level 2.

Is it advisable to do this?

Thanks

Hi David, I have just bought a laney Cub 10 and I set it up as per your review with a shure green bullet (tone 2, Vol 5.9 and gain 3.5). Soon as I touched my mic I got some serious feedback.

I had my boss rv6 hooked up as well so I turned that off, but was still getting feedback. I now have it set on Vol 4 gain 2 and tone 2 and a bit. I was also plugged into low output.

I was wondering if you had any idea why the amp would be giving feedback with the same settings as you had?  continue reading...

Hi David,

Two things I miss a lot.

Tip of the Day...

Monthly Davids Corner...

Any chance you can reinstate these interactive aspects?

John

Hi David,

reading the pdf file "Notation Key", it is stated that the "Lift" is:

Similar to a Pull, with no articulation. Tongue releases after a tongue block tosound the chord in the embouchure. Can be used in place of any Pull if asofter sound is desired.

Looking at the videos (Tongue blocking study #3 on Pulls and Lessons with Ryan Walker, Gary's Blues song) I had the impression that the pull has to be done at a reduced volume relative to the other notes. So, in general, I thought that the pull should be softer than the lift. continue reading...