Ask Instructor David Barrett

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.

Hi David, I just started playing the harmonica a couple of weeks ago and I really like it, but I have an issue. When I record myself playing I can hear myself blowing in the background of the song, do you know if I’m doing something wrong or do you have any tips to help me correct it, please?

Thank you in advance,

Diego

david,

i Have noticed that when I play the 3 draw with my nose open and breathing through my diaphragm and all that

- everything sounds right. When I close my nostrils I cannot produce a natural note on the 3 (also the 2). 

While this, in theory, does not bother me it produces a limitation. 

When ever I try to play afast lick - for example 3’-3-4-3’-3-4 the nose needs to open and close fast

eniugh for me to choke :)

is it normal? Or am I a freak? :))

also, continue reading...

Hi Daviid,

I see that Amazing Slow Downer has a phone app.  Is it possible to transer the study songs onto my Iphone and then play the song inside the ASD phone app?

Thanks

David,

Could you clarify what are the bmp for the Temperature song? - this is to practice the rhythm for diferent choruses.

Where do you take the breath between at 5th and 6th chorus?

Thank you.

Best,

Anton

Hi David:

I am in LOA3. In the accompaniment section for the song "Blues Creepin' over me", why does 4 blow which is the root of the IV chord work with in the head of chord I in measure 1,2,3,4.