Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi,

Just starting out with the harmonica, focusing on trying to play clear single notes using both the pucker and the tongue blocking technique. I have an A harmonica and a C harmonica, and for some reason I can't seem to get any sound at all on the 3 draw on the A harmonica. I can do it just fine on the C harmonica. It's a poor musician who blames his instrument, but I'm wondering if maybe I broke the reed for the 3 draw. I try to play at low volume, but who knows? Maybe I was too excited when I started out and broke the reed. continue reading...

Hello David, 

I'm a new student and am really digging the lessons.  I have a question regarding the 1 hole.  I find it easier to actually engage the 1 hole by going to the end of the harp and using no tongue blocking (in other words, I do not tongue block to the right of hole one).  Are there any potential problems with this approach, or is it a satisfactory way to engage the 1 hole blow and draw?

Brett

Hi Dave...so, I am working on vibrato, which is taxing and challenging to my 40 year marriage, however, with promises that i can only practice this for a maximum of five minutes a day, we have come to an understanding that if I master this technique i can sound more like Dave, maybe.  On that note, when I use Harp Ninja while making "wounded cat-like sounds" should I be seeing a total change in pitch, that is, moving from an F to an E on a Bb harp 2 draw?  Oh, and thanks for the pseudo marriage counciling.  Mic

Hi David,

   Regarding submitting material for the LOA 5 Test....

For the ' Music Theory Study 2 '...what do you want submitted ?

                        Thank you for your time continue reading...

 Dave Im lost here. Dont know enough music theory to understand what this means.

Hello David,  I am working on improvising on the chromatic and was sort of stuck on the 2 5 1 chord progression of bars 9-12.  I am using the jam track for Cool Blue.  For the 2 chord is it E G B D?  I just want to make sure I'm hitting the right notes when the 2 chord comes around.

Thank you.   

hi, David,

i'm now studying Feelin' for the blues, and i'm having trouble because there are too many draws in a row and i feel fully filled with air. it also happens when i improvise in 2nd position, but then I can introduce some silence to let some air go, but in this song there's not such an option. 

So, what could I do to solve that?

I find myself getting a bit overwhelmed with the video options. I don't know what videos to watch first. I tried to look for organization within the Hob Bosold videos, but he didn't have the Movement unit in his studies. 

David Gday continue reading...

Hi David,

I'm studying LOA-6. The study song "The Split" is really fast. I started from 60% of the origina tempo, split it into small loops - one per lick/phrase. After I was able to play all the licks comfortably at slow tempo I started playing bigger chunks like whole 4 bar sections or full choruses. Then I memorised the song and now I can play it from memory comfortably at slow tempo. continue reading...