Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hey David.

I uderstand in accompaiment playing that we  have root notes and that we build chords from this note.... and that chords are build in triads...

But i dont understand how I know what is my root note are if band say to me

let s play  song    xxxx in the key of G  - (I use C Harp) but what is my root note ?

Or  song xxxx in the key of A - (I use D Harp) but What is my root note again?

and so on ...

Thanks

  continue reading...

Hi Dave  a friend thought he remembered that at some point in the past you posted a list of all Little Walter songs and their keys?  Is that still available?

thanks

Hi David

I have spent now a number hours on the internet (i.e. Youtube) to find a backing track which nicely woud fit to Rick Estrin's marvellous instrumental Take It Slow (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVIJo20cDYk). I found many slow blues backing tracks but none of them seem to nicely fit. Wouls you be able to give me a hint how/where to find this?

Ideal would be to find the backing track of this instrumental itself without the harmonica playing.... 

Thanks much in advance

Joris

Dear teacher

For my recording with garageband, I put a (mic/headphone) splitter to my ipad. The external mic is a little Lavalier condenser mic. what is the best distance from my amplifier speaker I need to place the mic ?

Thank you

Hello David,

I was wondering what some of your other students use when it comes to managing their music on their PC (Windows 10 preferably).  I have used iTunes since the start but because I am a non-Mac user, I know there are better programs (free or paid) to do this. 

And by the way, Bluesharmonica.com is still the best harmonica site out there.  Keep up the good work.

Ken 

David,

I've been using a trial and Error method to figure out the key when I attempt to play along with artists on ITunes (I got Key of E on Big Walter's "Careless Love"?).  Is there another way to figure that out, without having perfect pitch...which I don't have.

Thanks.

Eric

Hi David,

I seem to hear the 7th Bar of the 4th Chorus played differently from the notation. It resembles more a bar in the first song submission. Do I play and record it according to how I hear it, or do I play what I see in the notation? Please advise. Thank you.

Ricardo

Hi David,

On above mentioned song, do you know what kind of warble/roll he's playing at beginning 

of 2nd solo?  Sounds different than warble on his 1st solo.

Thanks

Hi David,

Is it only me or on the "Feelin for the Blues" (level 3) 4th Chorus is different on mp3 played by you and scores provided?

Thanks

In the video for beginners, A harmonicar is required. But I had no idea before I purchased my very first harmonica. I bought a C hamonica. Now where do I start, where can I find lessons in this website?

Regards

Helen