Ask Instructor David Barrett

When you reference the 1 chord or the 5 chord what does that mean in harmonica speak?  Maybe I missed the explanation on this topic?  I read some guitar based explanations, but trying to put it into harmonica perspective.

Thanks, rod

I just started LOA 3 and in the introduction noticed that maybe I should have already looked at Bending Study 1 which I have not done. So I went there and on the bending practice lessons I have a question. Since we have been doing nothing but tongue blocking so far I assumed you wanted the tongue block mouth position and then trying to bend notes, is that correct? Of course, I cannot do that at this point, but then in watching the video I thought maybe you were just starting with a pucker position and with proper tongue movement achieving bends. continue reading...

Hi David,

Is there a lesson where you show how to play the riffs in each of his solos after the initial warble, the techniques SB2 is noted for?  

Thanks,

Dave Prez

Hi, Dave:

Probably the first scale you taught me was the C major scale, across the range of the harmonica.

1+  1  2+  2"  2  3"  3  4+ and so on...

You mentioned how, if you start from different places on that scale, you play in different modes. So, if you go from 1+ to 4+ (or 4+ to 7+) that's first position in C. From 4 to 8 is 3rd position in D, etc...

I recently realized two things and want to confirm that I'm correct: continue reading...

ive just started to learn to bend I'm using the harp ninja and I'm finding that I've had a good bit of success when I'm not tongue blocking I can hit the bends Db Gb F,Db on hole four, Ab on six and the half bend on five .I struggle with anything on the three draw. On the other notes I can find the pressure in my mouth to get the bends ,but on three draw there isn't any. I can hit the f if I growl at the back of my throat but it's painful. continue reading...

David Hi, I feel embarrassed to ask for your advice on this but I am totally stuck. Feelin the blues 4th Chorus bars 7 and 8   6+ 5+ 6+ 5 4 5 5+ 4+ 5+    I can do this lick, stand alone,  as fast as you like but simply cannot get into the rhythm of the beat when playing it with the recorded MP3. I have put the emphasis on differnt notes but simply cant get it to work. Have slowed it down to crawling speed but that hides the rythem and doesnt help. Do you have any exercises/suggestions that will help. continue reading...

For example, Submission #58.... his latest submission.   As well as some of the other sumissions.   Thanks.

Hi David! Not really a lesson question, but I'm really curious about this. I really enjoy listening to the interviews that you have done for the website and I wonder if you have any plans to have a conversation with Phil Wiggins. The man is the real deal and I'm sure he would have tons of interesting things to say and show us. 

Cheers,Julius

Good afternoon David,

I've just completed L.O.A.3 and felt that I needed to really get a handle on Chorus Forms so I'm pitching in so to speak.

Couple of points that I could use some clarification on please. Firstly a lick, are there any rules that a lick has to follow, for instance must it contain all or part of a I, IV or V chord or can it be simply a short ( 1,2 or 3 bars long) musical phrase that has a nice hook/swing/feel to it? which leads onto the question, are there any notes that shouldn't be played in the same lick or phrase that woudl cause a dis-chord? continue reading...

i thouroughly enjoyed Hob's harmonica journey and very likable personality.  Will her return anytime soon to continue his lessons.  I too am a beginner and it was fun studying with him.  Vic