Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hello Mr. Barrett.

I am kind of new to harmonica. i have been playing guitar. mostly i like folk songs.

i wish to play some bob dylan songs.which i can with guitar also. (i just got a harmonica rack)

first of all which keys of harmonicas needed for his songs ? i own A,C and G.

and can you please share tabs of some of his songs ?

thank you.

Hi David,

In Tongue Blocking Study One, in you had us tongue switch between the one hole and the four hole.  Now I am working on chorus 2 of "Walk With Me".  In order to accrss the one hole you are suggesting tongue switching from three hole position to access the one hole.  

Is my undrstanding correct?  Is this a descrepency?

Thanks

Hey David,

I've started working on bending study 2. The study song calls for a 3''. I seem to recall you mentioning in the video to go as low as possible. I notice that when I go for 'full depth', I'm consistently bending all the way down to 3'''. At this level, should I spend effort getting precisely to the 3'' or should I accept 3''' until I reach a higher LOA where bending work focuses more on precision and control?

Thanks!

-Alex

Hi David,

Firstly, sorry to over analyse this... You have said from the beginning of the lessons that we should be playing softly... well, is there a way I can tell objectively whether I'm playing loudly or softly? I have nothing to compare to, since I don't know any other harp players in person. continue reading...

Hello, continue reading...

Hello Sir .

I have a little question . for students how are naturally left hand , should we hold the harmonica with our left hand and make Wa Wa effect and other effects by our right hand , coz usually our strong hand and more effective is our left hand , and for myself i find little bit problems to vibrate my right hand coz its the weak hand not the strong effective hand , continue reading...

  continue reading...

Hi David,

I can't find the "Blues Music Theory" Lessons on the site. Can you point me in the right firection so I can do the AB/AC exercise for Level 4?

Homework: Use material from previous sections to create three examples of the A B/A C Chorus Form,the first with B as Contrast, the second as B with Slight Change and the third with B as a Sequence(reference Blues Music Theory lessons on the site for a full description on how to do this). Play this with ajam track of your choosing. If you have the equipment to

The Level 2 video entitled "Temperature" Chorus Form Examples, Part 1 refers to Improvising Study 1. Where do I find Improvising Study 1?

Hi, just want to run something by you. The very first note of the song "It's Right" (3rd Po Ex5) is a big tongue flutter on 4, which is the root note (with 5 added).

When I learned how to do tongue flutter, that was in second position, and of course I noted it sounded good if my mouth was open enough to hear holes 1 to 4 in that chord, and that was root, third, fifth. Even if the song called for the 5 to be added to the 4, I would still make sure the 2 sounded, for the full I7 chord. continue reading...