Ask Instructor David Barrett

Dave,

When Im practicing the choruses, I found if I tilt the harmonica up and left it come back more into my mouth - I can get some of the bends to sound like yours. Is this not a good idea, and can it lead to bad habits, or is it okay. Your thoughts much appreciated

Hello David!

Could you please specify the content of the "Blues Harmonica Play-Along Trax" - http://www.melbay.com/Products/21055BCDEB/default.aspx 

I would like to know - does this book contain study songs with tabulatures(like at your site)? or just jam tracks for playing along?

Thank you,

Sergey

Hello David!

Could you please specify the content of the "Blues Harmonica Play-Along Trax" - http://www.melbay.com/Products/21055BCDEB/default.aspx 

I would like to know - does this book contain study songs with tabulatures(like at your site)? or just jam tracks for playing along?

Thank you,

Sergey

Hi Dave, I have a C harmonica. How do I us th beginner lessons that ask for an A?

David,

If you've already answered this question, I apologize, but in your experience teaching students, do you think it matters whether we learn the whole song slowly and then gradually increase the whole piece to full tempo, or whether we learn each section up to full tempo before moving on to the next section?

Thanks,

Dan

David, 

On my Hohner 270 Chromatic Deluxe, the 2 (F) sounds very closed.

With very light draw the note sounds but when I want to play a little louder (mf) not even forte it's seems tha the note is closing and doesn't sound anymore.

I already opend the gap a little more but the result stays the same.

What's causing this and how can I get rid of it.

The rest of the 3 octaves are sounding wel, even the 2 (D : it aks a little more effort but sounds very well)

grtz

Alain

Dave,

When I submitted my LOA 1 recordings, Blues Harmonica.com accepted my m4a format.  For LOA 2, m4a's are being refused.  I've tried following directions for converting them, but I've had no success.  I'm not that tech savvy, and I would love to send these along to you.  Any suggestions for a simple way to bridge this gap?

Dave,

When I submitted my LOA 1 recordings, Blues Harmonica.com accepted my m4a format.  For LOA 2, m4a's are being refused.  I've tried following directions for converting them, but I've had no success.  I'm not that tech savvy, and I would love to send these along to you.  Any suggestions for a simple way to bridge this gap?

Hi, David:

How, and at what point, should I start making scale practice a part of my daily routine?

Is it enough to be able to play the scales up and down? Should I regularly put time into playing scale patterns (like the "leapfrog" exercise someone brought up a few days ago)?

Or should I continue to focus my practice time on learning songs and developing vocabulary?

To anyone who may be reading and may want to contribute: I am currently working on LOA-9, and have been playing harmonica for about three years.

Thanks, Dave.

David,

Just listened to your fascinating discussion on repetition and improvisation.  All my life I assumed I disliked avant-garde jazz because it lacked melody.  I now realize that what it often lacked was repetition and when i couldn't find anything identifiable, I simply lost interest.  Thank you for this insight.

Dan