Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hey David

I am enjoying the few video's I've seen, now I'm trying to get used to tongue blocking.

Now my question, I'm practicing playing single notes in Folk tunes (C harmonica beginner) with the tongue blocking. From here on out am I supposed to play single notes only while tongue blocking?

Or am i supposed to do it without in the next lesson home sweet home and tremolo?

If I do have to do it with tongue blocking i need to get one of those tongue block trainers u talked about and practice because it's hard :)

Friendly Regards

Hi Dave,  I hope I can ask this question in a way that makes sense.  I hear harp players play quickly through some series of notes.  I can figure out which notes they're playing, but they involve a combination of blow and draw notes, for example, 4 (draw), 4 (blow), 3 (draw), 3 (blow).  When I try to copy them, I can't get a smooth sound because I'm inhaling and exhaling, not just running down a series of notes.  Is there a trick to how musicians play these licks? 

As I'm working thru the Solo Harmonica Study 1. On example 1.12 I get so full of air i can't expel enough to keep going.  What's the secret to fix this?

hi Basic,  bought my first harmonica 'hohner special20 C' before getting on your site

can i continue without buying a new keyA model as u recommend? the crossoverA is an expensive model for me.

recommended right hand position: do the last 2 fingers of left hand drop when right hand is put on. how many finger tips is showing in right hand hole.

richard

Hi David

When playing octaves I sometimes notice beats in the sound without trying throat tremelo. Should I put throat tremelo over the top of the beats or just except the beats and the speed that they occur at? Thanks.

Andy

Hi David, 

I'm a beginner with a C harmonica. Where do I begin? 

Thanx, Sharon

Hi David. I feel that my lower draw notes sound very "breathy" no matter what I do. Any suggestions please?

Hello, I've been finishing Study Song 2 and jumped to LOA 3. It now says "Bending Study - 2". Where is the first one? I just can't find it. Also, when I click on the video on that page "Bending exercises" it says the following: "Video not found or access denied: http://d1tjd4oa7oae8u.cloudfront.net/lessons/b2_2_exercises.mp4". 

Hi Dave,

Is there a rule of thumb when it comes to using the “Ga” articulation vs. the “Side-Pull”? I thought they sounded pretty similar to one another, but last night I realized the “Ga” has more of an echo to it after the note sounds, unless I’m just making this up. For instance, what do you use during the first chorus of “Half Steppin” where there are half step bends one after another? When I try “Ga”, it doesn’t sound right. Is it because I can’t do it properly in that context or it wouldn’t sound good no matter what?

Thank you. 

Good Afternoon David,

I've just been watching Gary Smith's submission # 8 Lick development which I thought was absolutely brilliant. However, I cannot work out how it was done or what chorus forms the licks took. Is there anywhere on this site that provides an in depth explanation as to how the licks are developed in this way. If not, could there be a possibility of there being a study on lick development with the usual videos and music sheets.

Kind Regards,

Paul