Ask Instructor David Barrett

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

Dave Im getting lost. Im in LOA 3 - Accompaniment Study 3- Chords/ Section 1 Building Chords. Some of my confusion is I dont really understand positions - So when you say your in the C harmonica , 2nd position , Key of G, but you want us to use an A harmonica this is where Im starting to lose you. Why are we using the key of G(G major scale). I think I need more basic music theory. I completed the introductory music theory section and I followed all of that, but I dont get the positions/Keys/chords. What would you advise me to do at this point?

Hello! I started following your lesson a couple weeks ago, and I just love it, I'm learning a lot with you. The problem I have is about the breathing and air. I usually run ou of breath easily on draws, and I'm conscious I have a nose leak specially on lower notes, but I don't know how to fix it. In fact, when I play 1 draw or blow I need to open my nose to make it actually sound better, but that makes me overfill with air. How can I fix it?

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Hello David,

I am trying to use Garage Band (version that came with 2010 Mac Book Pro) to submit recordings for LOA 4.  All of my recorded examples are in the same Garage Band Project.  Each time I try to convert to MP3 the selection (as an MP3) plays for twice as long or longer in iTunes as it does in Garage Band.  In fact, in my first attempt the created MP3 played the selection twice within an approximately 5 min duration. The selection is actually about 2 min 30 sec. continue reading...

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Good Afternoon David,

Whilst studying the accopaniament study songs, should we be taking the licks and fills that we like and place them into the various chorus forms thereby giving us more vocabulary for our improvisation.

Many thanks,

Paul

Hi. Bought my first harmonica today. Got home and started on your lesson page. First major problem is - on my right hand I have no little finger!  What can I do? Is there any advice you can give me please?