Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David, 

Very new to harmonica here. I receieved a month of these lessons for free with the harmonica I purchased. I have loved the lessons so far, but I have faced a problem where my harmonica is in the scale of C, and it seems all the sheet music you have is for a harmonica with an A scale. Will I have to find new lessons or is there a way I can make the sheet music work for a C harmonica?

Hi David, I have been playing the harmonica for a little while now and have always puckered, tongue blocking was in the too hard basket and I tended to give up trying to get the hang of it. With your lessons though I am giving it a serious go now, what I have found is that the 2&5 draw  is just not happening. I get nothing out of the 2 draw, I know I am in the right place because 2&5 blow is fine. It has to be my technique but I am at a loss as to what I am doing wrong so therefore cannot begin to correct it. Any help would really be appreciated. continue reading...

Im putting in the hours to improve and I am doing so.  My technique is much improved.  I am not doing well in replicating the tone you demonstrate on the videos.  This is mostly apparent on the draw tone.  For example 2, 3, 4 draw.  

What are your recommendations for improving on this weakness?  Is it possibly somewhat instument related?  Im playing a Hohner Blue Midnight.  Im betting you play some very sophisticated harps. continue reading...

Hi David, Yesterday I purchased my first harmonica - the Special 20, C (as advised by the store owner). But as your lessons appear to be around the use of an A harmonica, do I need to buy an A harmonica or will I still be ok using the C? I thought this might be a common problem but couldnt find any other similar questions in my search, so apologies if this has been addressed before. Thanks!

Dear teacher

After learning accompaniment 3, I try to analize previous songs chords notes. Everything match but when I arrive to Blues Creepin something is different. Bar 11 of verse 1-2-and solo is I-IV. Not verse 3

I understand you start with a note of Chord 1 and pass over Chords 4 whit 1 or 2 notes.

this new 12 bars structure only arrive whit blues brake song?

Can we say its a more longuer turnaround?

Why tha last verse 3 dont have (IV) notation inside bar 11?

thank you

I was given an Enthusiast Hot Metal-D harmonica as a present. I have used the code to access the free online lessons but the instructions keep saying I should have a C or G, etc but never a D. Are there any lessons for  the Hot Metal D.

Thanks

John

I was given an Enthusiast Hot Metal-D harmonica as a present. I have used the code to access the free online lessons but the instructions keep saying I should have a C or G, etc but never a D. Are there any lessons for  the Hot Metal D.

Thanks

John

I have two questions:

Concerning practice, Ive been working examples and often get them to what I would call an 85% level.  Then I plateau.  Do you recommend we work the exercises until they are played perfectly or do you suggest we get to a very good level and then cycle back periodically? continue reading...

Hi David,

In Lesson 9 on transformations you mention that if you have a lick such as 3 4 4 5+ 4 you can lower the the scale degree by one giving 2 3 3 4+ 3. Would this be placed in bars 3 and 4 and would that constitute a fill. If you then sequenced the 2 3 3 4+ 3 to the IV chord would you then bring back the 3 4 4 5+ 4 lick to bars 5 and 6.

Lastly, are there any more examples of this kind of transformation on the site.

Many thanks,

Paul

Hi, David:

An amp question for you. I already have a big stage amp (Bassman) but am looking for a smaller amp for smaller venues, recording, practice.

What do you think about "acoustic amps", like the Marshall Acoustic or the Fishman Loudbox? Acoustic amps produce a cleaner sound, which would be good for playing different sorts of gigs (not just the Chicago style blues). continue reading...