Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David, do you have any hints on improving side flutter to obtain a fuller sound? Have you a tutorial or student i/v with teacher input?Thanks Mac

Hello again David

Reading "The Musician's Way" (great recommendation, by the way!) and the tips for preparing new materials, I've taken a step back to combine those tips, with the tips/tricks in your Breathing class (Ex.1.2 specifically) and the notation on my current study songs - to try and better prepare my practice sessions and avoid developing bad habits. ( I hadn't previously notated where I could breathe in/out and hence tend to forget until it's too late). continue reading...

 Hi David.

I hope you and yours are well,

JUst a suggestion for a lesson would be a James Cotton style lesson.

Thanks

Greg de B

Hi David,

Ok, I have comitted to memory all the notes on the C harmonica, along with the avialable notes for GM7 and Gm7 (I, IV, V chords) on each hole.

I now want to commit G9 to my memory but I want to make sure that I have got it right so that I don't memorise it incorrectly.

Would it be G Major 9:

I Chord: G B D F A

IV Chord: C E G Bb D

V Chord: D F# A C E

and is there a G minor 9:

I chord: G Bb D F A

IV chord: C Eb G Bb

V chord: D F A C

Thanks

Saul

Hi David

I'm not sure if I'm missing something here with the Intro to Blues Creepin' Over Me... it threw me for six when I tried playing along to the jam track, expecting a 4-count in. Looking back at Ex. 3.1 and then jumping ahead to watch you play it right through, I've gathered that we're actually starting on the upbeat (AND) of 3 as per the blues break examples, but I don't get why that's not notated.

Is it just a slip-up, or is there a musical reason that I've missed?

Thanks

Joel

Hi David

I'm working my way through Tongue Block Study 1 and I've been trying to spend a lot of time so I can get this down but I have a question regadring your song "Walk With Me."

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Hi david, I posted before but no reply.  Im totally new and dont know how to even get started the blowing part into a particular hole.

Thanks.

Ivan

Hello David,

I'm studying temperature and I got stuck on the dip in 3 draw and 6 draw.

I can really do the dip, but looking at the video lessons where you play without the backing track (I didn't notice It while listening to the study song) looks like you do also slap those notes. It's just me, or are you slapping and dipping at the same time? How do you do that?

If I try to slap a bend I always start from the top, then quickly dip the note...

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Hi David,

for the Temperature study song, where you denote +3, have you done this deliberately for the benefit of practicing or simply because the 2 draw can be problematic for beginners? In short my question isdoes it matter if I choose to play 2 draw instead of 3 blow or should I stick with 3 blow as instructed? I'm a beginner tongue blocker. 

Thx,

Ravi

Hi David, it is really my first time on harmonica and struglling to get startharmonica yesterday and cant get theed even with the study guide.  how do I for instance in the third or foutth hole when it is so diffficult to blow into one hole at any given time.  Just bought my harmonica yesterday and cant do the first lesson.  please help to understand the fourth hole etc. Ivan.