Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hello Dave,  What is the general relationship between volume, tone and gain, specifically, when the volume is decreased by one (from 4.5 to 3.5) should the tone and gain also decrease by the same factor or some other combination.  Obviously, my "ears" are not sensitive enough to determine the difference in settings at this time since I am using a real amp for the first time.   The Laney 10 is great by too loud for my practice room and I cannot seem to get a good combination of lower volumn, tone and gain.  Any suggestions would help.  Thanks

I love this tune and you did an amazing job of loading this up with all the skill elements.  I have found this very difficult to get right, but am getting close technically (I find the last lick in the tune the most difficult with the bend followed by the full octive jump) .  I recorded myself today, played it back and said "yuck"....I've got to do better. continue reading...

David, 

I am working on level one and  have a Hohner Crossover and 8 draw is not working.  It was "stuck" or something and when I tried to free it up with a tooth pick, I think that I bent it too far or damaged it some other way.

Question:  Where do you recommend I purchase a set of replacement reed plates?

EddieKnoxville 

PS.  No relation to Johnny

PPS.  I LOVE your web site.  It shows a lot of thought and hard work and was just what I have been looking for.

  continue reading...

Hi David. I understand Mel Bay used to publish a book/CD package that you authored called Blues Harp Greats, that appears to be unavailable, but I did notice one in the background on the Laney Cub speaker change, recording, video. Do you have any copies available for purchase?

Hi David, with the bends in feelin for the blues which would you consider most acceptable:                                                       Sliding down to an almost on pitch bend or hitting the bend on pitch but with that little gap between the unbent and bent notes? I’m sure that sliding down to a bend in pitch is preferable to you, me and all your students. continue reading...

David just a short note of appreciation for a great number, passin time. Good progress with LOA5 but enjoy working on passin time as "casual" practice. 

David, I've just joined BluesHarmonica.com and I am amazed with the quality of the training material.

I've been with other teachers and other websites, and lot of youtubes, but nothing as professional and thorough as this one.

Just in 5 days I've learned more than I did in last year.

I want to thank you and your team for the outstanding work you guys do.

Looking forward to learning more.

just curious if there were any rules of thumb when deciding between the 2 draw vs the 3+ hole.  Obviously not talking about when bending the 2 is involved.  continue reading...

Hi David,

If we are thinking of playing an unbent note, but with strong vibrato, is the average pitch going to be necessarily flat? For example, playing a 4 draw D, I can imagine the pitch wavering between between C# and D, with the average being a quarter note below D, since we can't cause it to waver above the natural D.

If so, does that mean that vibrato is less appropriate when going for a light/major feel? But I would guess that the same thing would not apply to a singer, or when playing a note that is already bent.

David,

I've been struggling to understand how much of your vibrato is accomplished in the glottis (vocal cords) and how much is contributed by the base of the tongue.  If I want a fast vibrato, I don't seem to be able to do it all with the vocal cords.  I got the bright idea to go back and watch your MRI demo of bending and while there was a quick look at the vibrato, it really didn't help me answer this question.

Thanks,

Dan