Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David,

In the Tip of the Day forum one of the forum under "Custom Harmonicas - why are they really nice," one of the reasons is that one does not have to make much effort to make some notes sound. My questions are:

- Why don't manufacturers make them already easier to sound instead of requiring different air pressure for some holes?

- I thought that the costumization was to make some notes sound better to the taste of the player. Does this mean that the harmonica customizers make them sound all the same or all they care is to reduce the variation in air pressure? continue reading...

hey david,

I submitted my recording of 'my blues' via the levels of achievement page.  I was hoping you could give it a quick listen.  Is this the correct way to get it to you?

  continue reading...

Hi David;

 1. You demonstrated going from the input 2 of the '68 Princeton to the Laney Cub, IIRC. Is that something possible with all 2 input amps? If so, that is something I never knew!

 2. In "Walk With Me" chorus 4, there is a tilde or a short throat tremolo sign, (i.e. 1 "wave"),  between 3 and 4 in bars 1,2, and 3, and in chorus 6 between 6+ and 5+, and 4 and 5+ in bar 4. I probably missed along the way what the symbol signifies. Could you please clarify?

Thank you

hey david, 

Been practicing hard to switch to a full TB embrochure.  Have "My Blues" pretty down pat so I'm getting there.

I just have two quick questions:

-  While pucker playing I would often articulate by making a "t" sound, particularly on draw notes.  This seems impossible when tongue blocking.  I try to replicate the sound with a "k", but it just isn't the same.  Is this something I just need to practice more, or is it a sound I just need to remove from my technique? continue reading...

David Hi

Accompaniment Study 5-7th Hole changes. Playing the 2nd hole as in the pdf I find I am clashing with your rendition when I play it as per the pdf. The last 2 bars read 2 2 2 2’ 2’ on the pdf.  It sounds like you are playing 2 2 22 2’.  I wonder if I am miss reading the music score. You spend a bit of time on this section so apologies if I “just cant see it”.  Appreciate your assistance. Thanks

Hello Dave Great song.   Where is the jam track for the BigBoss Man? Mic 

Hello David,

Your site has been great, but I have to say you material on Scales moves very, very fast.  Two general questions:

1- As an old band player, I've memorized scales decades ago.  When I look at your exercise in Music Study 2 which I am reviewing in prep for the scale work in Level 4 I came to the fill in the blank grid.

I find myself filling in the blanks based on memory but it made me wonder if there was a theory here I am missing.  Based on the layout of the piano keyboard is the scale construct based on that keyboard. continue reading...

Hello!I have recently joined this forum and site and just started learning, but i have Hohner 559/20 Blues Band C  (do major) do i need to buy A key or can I do my beginner studies on C as well?Thanks

Dear David,

i hope you are well.

i am a beginner and bought some harps online. 

Sone of them play very well right out of the box, some feel not very airtight and some feel to have stiff reeds. How do I know of they are defect or just need to be broken in and how do I break in a new harp and how long does it need? Or should I just send it back to the seller for replacement? Thank you so much! Best regards, Erin André

David,

I was re-learning your pro Grooves/chording lesson and was surprised to hear you say that we would frequently be encountering the 3 draw whole step bend on the IV chord in that lesson.  It sounds right, but why?

Thanks,

Dan