Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David,

Since I've completed the level 2 yesterday I'm trying bends today. I can draw bend all holes 2-6 with tongue blocking, but hole 1 only with puckering. So far I played 1 draw with tongue switching and I liked it. Should I bend it with lip pursing for the time being, or should I continue trying 1 draw bend with tongue blocking/switching since the beginning?

Thank you,

Marek

Hi David,

I've been trying to 'borrow' more of your licks again...! This time I'm trying to figure out Here We Go as per It Takes Three CD and I'm finding this more challenging than any song of yours that I've studied so far. The main challenge has been the rhythm.

I've been trying to notate it using notation software, which will help me to understand the rhythm more. I've downloaded something called MuseScore to do this. But notating it has been a real challenge in itself. I've got the first chorus written out, and I spent probably about four hours doing just this. continue reading...

Hi David 

this is pavan.  I Have Key C bluesband harmonica. For LOA program in this site you are using  Harmonica of Key A. So how can i relate your lessons to Key C harmonica. Can follow the LOA program 

Dave Hi. As you have said this lesson is 5 minutes of accompaniment heaven. I am really enjoying it. My question is when I try to match the provided recording with the music sheet I find a difference. At 2.07 minutes the vocal verse in bar 7 and 8 with the 343 434 (very nice) string the music ends that lick with what sounds like the 3 draw but the music sheet has it as a 4 draw as the last note of the string. In the 8th bar in the music sheet there is a single note, 3 draw (lead in to the 9th ?) but that has not been tabulated and I am assuming that is what I am hearing. continue reading...

Hi David,

I am working on Walk With Me.  By the time I get to the first note of the third chorus I have loaded so much saliva into the harmonica I can't get the 3 draw to sound.

Suggestions?

Thanks

Hello Mr. Barrett

For levels of achievement for example level 1, there is a song called walk with me in the key of E harmonica. can i use another key to record that song? because i dont own an E harmonica.

Dave, Am I missing something in my learning if I substitute 3+ for 2 draws where it helps me to have enough breath?  I'm working on Gary's Blues and in the 3rd chorus I just run out of air if I don't exhale more before the long vibratos and shakes.  If the 2 draws aren't bent, are 3+'s generally okay in their place?  Or another suggestion?  Thanks

Hi David, continue reading...

HI I've trouble to make bending on my harmonica "C".-

please.. can you explain me in detail how the song is going on?.. 

thanks.-

mitchell.

Hi David!

I'm working on study 1 for chromatic, which I had never played before, and I think I need some clarifications.

1) I'm not sure about the "degree" of embouchure I should use. Let me try to explain: should the lips enclose the facing plate and not much more, i.ie. lay on the front of the cover plates, right passed the face plate, or should they entail more and lay further away on the cover plates, similar to the diatonic embouchure, although much wider. continue reading...