Ask Instructor David Barrett

David Hi

Two issues please one comment and one question.

When I started this journey I never expected to deal with and understand music theory. I am enjoying it very much. Find myself trying to analyse music I hear all the time now. continue reading...

Hi David, on Solo harmonica study 2 excercise 1.2 is it acceptable to tongue slap the 3+ and 3 draw slide over to the first 4 draw then TS the second 4 draw? Even at 65 bpm I am struggling to fit those first 3 notes into 1 beat slapping the first 4 draw.

Regards Alan

Hi Dave,

Your notation for Section 2 Bass Lines shows to 3 blow for the root note of the 1 chord.  You previously presented a rule that you generally draw the notes of the 1 chord, blow the notes of the 4 chord, and mostly draw the notes of the 5 chord.  I am aware you can do it either way, but am wondering why you chose to deviate from that rule?

Thanks,

Frank

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...

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