Ask Instructor David Barrett

Dave Hi

I have come a long way in understanding “position” playing on the harp and why we would chose positions but… This may be a trivial question that you must get thoroughly sick of.  This is the question. How do I work out the position I am playing in. Simple example, I pick up an A harp and start playing “She will be coming round the mountain” (I did say simple). The tune starts on 3+   and most of the first few bars are blow notes. This would imply first position but how would I know. continue reading...

Im hearing you and lots of others have great, complex and very bluesy sounds.  I would compare it when I played sax and a good player could make a sax "growl".   I see proper cupping to be part of the key to that sound but it seems to focus on the blow side.  When I cup on the draw side, I often see I cut off air and the sounds dont work.  My draw sounds still sound elementary and not very bluesy.

Any hints

gary 

Dave - I have been practicing some songs that I have liked along the way, and even committed the notes to memory, but I still feel I have hit a wall when it comes to primarily to speed and breathing somewhat. Cant seem to play these songs faster. Any suggestions beyond practice for improving speed?

I've been playing for about four years now, and have gone through the entire LOA system. Everyday (mostly), I've been following your suggested study times: 10 minutes on technique (for me, scales), 30 minutes on a study song, 20 minutes of chorus form improvising. Each day, for improvising, I would take one lick from my study song and use it in different chorus forms. So I've gotten familiar with the chorus forms, sequencing, and good phrasing. I've been putting in the work. continue reading...

Hi David,

I seem to have damaged another reed -- third harmonica down. :-(

I think it's time for me to buy a repair kit. Is this one from amazon.com adequate:

https://www.amazon.com/HOHNER-REPAIR-KIT-Service-Set/dp/B014LPAQ30/ref=s...

Thanks,

Jay

Hi David,

When testing amps with knobs for both volume and gain, is there a reliable rule of thumb for where to set them in order to get closer to the blues harp sound we want? I was playing through a few in a music store today, and it seemed like high gain, low volume was most reliable, but I'm not sure why that was the case or if it is a consistent pattern. 

Thanks. 

Hello Sir ,

I'm still new to Harmonica world and i truly love this little instrument .

I have been member here for few days .

i need your help with this song ( Low Rider ) . i need the tabs for this song ( music sheet )

my friends ask me to play it so bad and i don't want disappoint them , so please can you help me i need the full song sheet music or tabs ,

Thanks so much Sir

Have a nice day .

Moha

David, i have a "performance questio...i have about 5 songs I am currently working on. A couple of big Walter tunes & "my blues"...which has become my favorite.

im also working on 3-4 improv licks using some scale sequencing & lick ex. You have applying the chorus forms.

my question is, how do you effectively play licks for an "audience" ie: patio, pool, etc....when not using a backing track?...the chugs (Gussow) (Tomlin) just don't come off as well acoustically.... continue reading...

Hi David,

In the fourth chorus of "Walk with Me," what does the squiggle between draw 3 and draw 4 mean (first two notes, then repeated again later)? I couldn't find it in your notation key.

Thanks,

Jay

Hi

I am Alexander Salamanca

i am from Capital city Bogotá, Colombia

my english is very regular...

But

mi interes in this program or Class interactive of colors es muy genial

espero con ansias poder aprovechar de cada lección en esta 

con tan exelent contenido y referencias de expertos apacionados que 

espero púeda aprender de ustedes; 

Thank you very much for your attention

Feliz día.