Ask Instructor David Barrett

I've really enjoyed the amp reviews so far.  Very interesting and eye opening.  I love the setting suggestions!

Is there a plan to review the Pro Junior?  That's the one amp I'm most curious about.

Can you please remind me which lesson explains the pulls?  Thanks

Hi David

I have a wish to learn to use the harmonica. Now I bought a harmonica but I guess I was not instructed properly as I bought one in C. The beginners lessons are in A. How can I go about this?

Thanks

Mireille from Amsterdam

Im working on Accompaniment Study in Section 4 and see in 7th bar of the second Verse a Bb/Db(c#) shake.  Help me out there.  A shake from a bend seems like something we have not covered.  In fact a Db appears to be an overbend off the 5 blow or something.  Please help.

Gary

Hello, 

     I find it easier to "switch" my toungue to block holes 1-3 rather than have part of my mouth off the harmonica.  Do you think this is a sound technique or should I tey to get used to maintaining the embouchure with part of my mouth off the harmonica? 

Thanks, 

     Mike

A short question about two fundamental lessons: You recommend to play with the tongue block all the time. Does that mean that I use tongue block (to isolate the hole) when I am bending? It seems more convenient if I had the tongue unoccupied for the bending!

Thank you very much, I've just started with the lessons and they are amazing!

Hello David

As an old wind insturment guy I leanred to read notes on the staff.  Working with Tablature is different.  Now I tend to look at 4+ I play a 4blow.  I really dont focus much on the note on staff.

Is it important to play from the staff?  My guess is that it's not that important and it might be more important to develop a keen ear for the tones.

Hi David:

I am on LOA 3 and working on the accompaniment section. Having trouble with the timing when playing with the jam track.

Please tell me the BPM so i can play using the metronome.

Hello David, 

Just getting used to the D harp relative to Level 4.  Yes these bends are much harder.  Does the D harp also draw harder?  I am getting less volume and it takes more air volume.  

Also got HarpNinja and I have to say it was a great thing to improve TB accuracy.  Excellent recommendation and nice product.  

On ex 1.3: does it mean that I should play the bottom note then move to the right then back to the TOP left then to the second note top, then down to the third row bottom etc? Example: 4+,4,5+,5,5+5,6+,6.