Ask Instructor David Barrett

Dave in the Accompaniment Playing, study 3 - Chords section you explain how one builds the 1,4, and 5  chords which is clear. Why do we ignore the potential of  2(A/C/E) and 3 (B,D,F#) chords. Are they simply just not good as it relates to the blues? continue reading...

I have signed up to the free months tutorial that I got for Christmas, I only have a C harmonica and all the tutorials are saying to use a harmonica in a different key and don't know where to go from here. I need guidance for C harmonica 

thanks

Paul

before I saw this site I used to use "lips corrugation technique" (don't know its name, I'm not English) and after I tried whit tongue blocking. Now it's easier for me use the first technique, even if the second one is cleaner (but slower for me for take notes). should I restart with tongue blocking? I'm not a musician anche I wanna learn to play armonica in blues-rock and rock songs. what if I continue with my tecnique? and how can I gain more breath to play and exercite for more time?

Enjoying the progress I'm making follwing your program...got a general question though...

I see that for LOA Level 1 test for movement exercises you only ask us to do the major scale. And for the solo harmonica study only examples 1.2, 1.4, and 1.7

However when I look at solo harmonica study 1 it has exercises 1.1 - 2.8

and there are 8 movement exercises even though you are only testing us for 1 exercise...

  continue reading...

I have a key of "C" harmonica and am not interested in buying another harmonica. Are there any sites you recommend for me?

Hi

when i was watching the first video in Section 4 - Tongue block study 2 "temperature" - Levels of achviment 2, in the video is said that i would need to watch first Improvising study 1.

But this lesson, Improvising study 1, is currently in L.O.A. level 4. continue reading...

Hi David 

I'm learning 'take it easy' and am not surprisinglay finding the 5 draw bend a little tricky. 

I have been using the Harp Ninja and am wondering if you could help with the level of how deep I should go in the bend. 

Playing the 5 draw un-bent position has the 5 Draw showing green with the pointer dead on 12 o'clock (all the other holes are @ 10 past the hour). So first I was wondering if the reed is slightly flatter than the other holes.  continue reading...

I'm working on accompliemtnt study   2 looking at 1.11 I have an a harmonica.  3 blow on a harmonica is E, yet the study is saying 3 blow is G. I understand 3 blow on C harmonica is G but in the example we are playing we are using an A harmonica.

Ive heard you say things like at blue harmonica we always use the key of C or something like that. 

Can you explian what is going on?

I have a good grasp of music threory and looking at sheet music which is saying i'm playing notes I know i'm not playing is confsuing.

  continue reading...

Hi,

is the study song "Walk with me" only for the A - harmonica or is there also a version for the C - harmonica?

I am a beginner and in the music store they recommended a C - harmonica for beginning .. but now I feel like an A - harmonica would have been the better choice.

Best regards, 

Manuel

Hi David

  Regarding LOA 4, Improvisation, Section 6, Assignment 3 :

I understand what you are asking for:  A new lick (Same header and footer) , but a “ new = completely continue reading...