Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David,

What software do you use to compose your sheet music and tablature?  Is it something readily available?

Thanks,

Ryan

I am working on LOA Level 1 which of course is mostly tongue blocking material. When I venture out into other materials such as Movement Exercises Patterns is the idea to still/always use tongue block when going through these exercises? The video's don't say be sure to tongue block so I thought maybe it was just known that you should. Also, I have great difficulty getting a good clean well toned 3 draw in tongue block. Unfortunately Walk With Me starts on 3 draw and has 3 draw many times during song. Other holes seem OK at this point so I don't know why 3 draw sounds airy and weak. continue reading...

whin learning train imitations I was wondering how long of a time (30 sec, 1min, 2min)   I should hold the speed (at 150 bpm now) before I move to next speed. and as allways thank you for the help.

MX 

Hi David,

I've just started work on LOA 2 and have a question in connection with 1, 4 & 5 Chords, which I would be grateful if you can help me with. continue reading...

Hi David!

Sorry to bother you with this, but sense you recommend the amp I thought it would be good to ask you about this.

In you opinion, is the fender super champ DX better than the X2, or are they the same? 

I have been searching for information about this online, but I can only find revews for guitars. 

Thank you so much. 

Best regards.

Emanuel Taborda

Hello Mr. Barrett-

If a song features the 1, 4, and 5 chords of a certain key , but it's the 5 chord featured most prominently(specifically Not Fade Away by Buddy Holly, A,D, and E, but E is the staple) what key would you choose to play in? A Harp second position or D harp second position? Or none of the above?! Thanks in advance-Jesse Langford

Thank you for helping me.

I use Special 20s for my LOA lessons-- now on Level 4.

For Christmas I got a Crossover.

The Crossover seems to respond more readily than the Special 20 when I practice low volume playing and related dynamics.

I can afford the Crossover and will change to it for my LOA lessons if the Crossover will speed my learning and lead to more insights.

(Sometimes equipment type seems to make learning easier and sometimes its impact is zero to marginal.) continue reading...

I am brand new to harmonica & was advised to get a 'C' harmonica (now I see you need an A for the lessons-argh....Can I begin learning with my C harmonica as the 'free lessons' came with it?....(I also purchased a beginner harmonica book- would I be better off learning from that to start?) Thanks

I recently buy my first amp, mustang iv2. Its not an amplifier with tubes. I can ask the Gear section in the forum but I prefer my teacher opinion. Im not satisfy about my amp. Not able to obtain this particular sound you produce and I want. I have 2 questions about that.

1- the are a big difference between tubes amps and no tubes amps ?

2- can you suggest me my fisrt tubes amp with aux headphone jack for good price ? 

Im living in Canada and its very hard to find harp amp

Mr. Barrett,

I got the harp ninja app - nice tool.  With it I notice that every note I play shows up as being sharp.  Some as much as 25% of the way to the next note.  Is this an indication that I'm not holding my mouth right or breathing correctly or ...?  Any ideas?