Ask Instructor David Barrett

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...

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?