Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi, Dave:

Not a big fan of Big Walter, but I recognize his importance in the tradition and I understand there's something to be learned. As I'm just starting out, I'd like to learn what I "should" from him. If you were Dr. Frankenstein and you were building the perfect blues harmonica monster player, what songs of Big Walter would be the bare essentials (in this analogy, what limbs would you attach to the monster)?

I'm thinking "Easy" and "Walter's Boogie." Maybe your artist study, too, because that includes the best licks, right?

Hi David, Firstly I want to say that I really like your teaching style. You explain and show teqniques in such a way that as a student I sit and go " ah I finally got it", I also like the material you give us and the whole format of the LOA. But, and yes there is always a but.....I always used to pucker and TB was a mystery to me and an unachievable one at that, although I have tried in the past to delve in to it failing every time. With your lessons and teaching technique I am getting there and I am enjoying the experience. continue reading...

Dear Teacher

I have start learning Vibrato. After 2 weeks of very hard work I realize this exercise is very challenging for me and I love it. I failed my first "Final Playing Example" because I make ya-ya type vibrato. Well ! I return to videos and listen carefully. You said we need to have a strong tremolo. When I try to POP my throat very hard, my diaphragm bounce a little. its is correct? 

I try to relax my tongue but I have sum problems do to this because I think I have to contract the end of the tongue to cover left holes ( tongue blocker ) continue reading...

HI David and Everyone,

I starting playing harmonica about 2 years ago and have primarily been learning to play using the LOA program and tongue blocking technique and I have become most comfortable playing using tongue blocking.

I've also recently gotten into Paul Butterfield and his style of playing.  As I understand it, Butterfield was primarily a pucker player. continue reading...

Hello David I am currently working on level 4 stuff.  I also started looking at Rollin Rhumba v1 in third postion.  I am just curious about the 1,4,5 chords for third postion.  I worked it out I think?? I just want to see if I am way out to lunch.  so on a C harmonica in thirds postion are these correct?

1-D,F#,A  holes 1,4,8 /2",5,9/ 3",6,10

4-G,B,D    holes 2,3+,6+,9+/ 3,7,/ 1,4,8

5-A,C#,E   holes 3",6,10/ 1,4,7,10/ 2+,5+8+

Thank you  

David Saccucci

Dave

I notice your playing is nice and crisp and staccato. Do you tongue block all the time?  You taught me to tongue block and I love it. My biggest complaint with my playing is that it is soft around the edges. Like lazier than Lazy Lester. And this despite focus on ga ga in the throat. I  lip block on select moments, to Ta Ta. But I really don't like it. I get lost easily. 

I really don't want to develop a hybrid style. Any advice?  

Are there specific lessons on 2nd position playing in bluesharmonica.com?  In Level Achievement 1 the study song (Walk With Me) is referenced as being in 2nd position.  In your lesson of 'Playing With a band' you reference 2nd position and 'cross harp'. However, I don't recall that being mentioned in other Level 1 tutorials.   

So David, I know that you periodically provide advice on how to minimize problems associated with clogged reeds due to saliva issues. My question as a beginner (and I suspect other beginners are curious too) is as a professional, how often do you have to deal with this issue when you are performing or recording?

Im working to memorize the basic chords and was playing along with the jam track of Walk with me.  The D of the I chord sounds fine which is a D on the C harp.  But when I try the G (root of the I chord in second pos), it sound horrible.  Im expecting that G, B, or D will fit into the I chord.  Am I off track here?  

Also in filling out that grid for Hole/Pitch by chord, Im getting confused.  Is the F# then relative to the 5 hole a 5 overbend?

Thanks Dave........ this is great but challening

Hi David,

Must the recording for the "Walk With Me" be all in tongue blocking/switching? If that is the case, is it acceptable to have glitches?

Thank you.