Ask Instructor David Barrett

On a C Harp, the 2nd Position Blues Scale (G) is like the 2nd position Minor Pentatonic scale (G Minor) with 1 extra note. Since G Minor scale is the relative Minor of the as B-Flat Major scale (11th Position), does that mean that the 2nd Position Blues scale is the same as the 11th Position Blues scale, but with a different root note? To be more specific, can I play B-flat blues on a C Harp using the same scale I would use when playing G Blues on the C Harp, with b-flat as the root note?

David Hi.  Well like all previous LOA, LOA5 is another level of interest and challenges with a great study song and very cool Solo Harmonica section. I could listen to it all day. Like 4 this LoA5 I am finding that your one on one sessions with Ryan are very helpful supplement to your video lessons in the LOA segments.

Can you please confirm that with Ryans lesson 18, Solo Ex 1.1 is a harp in the key of A and not G. It looks like that on Harp Ninja when I checked but would like to be sure.  Thanks.

Hi David, did you ever try something like the Mojo Pad offered by Lonewolf Bluescompany? I have a Fender Super Champ X2 and a Bulletini Mic and I'm not sure if a Mojo Pad will make a difference to the amp's sound. The idea is to reduce the signal that goes into the amp in order to be able to run the amp at a higher volume. Do you have any experiences so that you can tell if this will improve the sound and/or fight feedback?

-Frank

David in the upcoming L3 test I am to find a jam track and play "one chorus" per hole up to the 6th hole. Does this mean to play the 12 bar blues using appropriate notes on hole 1, then repeat this process for the remaining 5 holes? In other words play the 12 bar blues 6 times total?

Dear teacher

theory study 2 ex 6.3

I would like to understand why we dont lower 7 scale degre to 7b when I convert the song to the second position. Im not sure but I think I have to dissociate second position and myxolidian.

thank you

Please this is all very difficult at my 75 years old. I would like to go over your videos several times but unable.

For whatever reason slapping hasn't come easily to me especially doing it quickly. My question is this: I'm on Level 3 and thinking in a few weeks I'm ready to submit test material including the song Feelin for the Blues. In the test material exercise 2.4 shows 108 bmp and I can't seem to accurately slap at that rate those quick notes together. Can I just slow that down for the test or do I need to keep practicing and not submit testing until I have this better accomplished?

Does Harp Ninja help at all with knowing if you are playing octaves correctly?

Thanks, Dave

I don’t understand most of the interviews. People say things such as, “...When I’m moving to the 4th Chord...” Now I understand Scales, I play 5 Major Pentatonic, 6 Minor Pentatonic and 2 Blues Scales on the Harp. I understand there are 7 notes in a Major scale so I know when one says the “third”, they mean the third note in the major scale.  But I have no idea what it means when someone says they move to the 4th chord. How do you move from notes to chords on the harmonca? What does 4th chord mean? continue reading...

I am a new player who has just started on LOA1.

I spent the first 5 weeks since picking up a harp and having some private lessons lip pursing and am now constantly practicing the tongue block since I discovered your lessons.

What I'm noticing as I'm practicing 'Walk With Me' is my draw 3  4  3 4 3 4 ~ at the start of chorus 3 is quite weak in comparison to if I play it using pucker. Is this a normal thing for a beginner to experience?

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