Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David,

Would you mind providing the Chorus Forms to Walkers Shuffle. I'm trying to analyse this instrumental to help me with my improvising/instrumentals, but am finding it difficult to do so.

Many thanks,

Paul

Hi David, I am trying to settle on a track for the Improvising Study 1 - Songwriting.

Going through the ultimate jam tracks I found I quite like the west coast swing in D. However I see you have used this for cool blue (chromatic study #2) and it is not a standard 12 bar blues (ii-V-I?). Is it OK to use or would I be better served staying with standard 12 bar V-IV-I track.

I certainly don't want to make this hard for myself as my improvising leaves alot to be desired!

Thanks

Gnat

(Alex)

Greetings David,

I was just wondering. Are all your private lessons of the "in person" variety or do you give lessons over skype?

Best Regards,

Chris Harrison

Greetings David,

I was just wondering. Are all your private lessons of the "in person" variety or do you give lessons over skype?

Best Regards,

Chris Harrison

i know there are artist studies at e end if each level, but it would also be cool to have  section for further studies that lists some other artists and songs to study in our own that goes along with the material in each section. Just a thought 

thanks

Grant

David,

I've been on your site for about 6 months and I continue to learn much. Thank You.

I have followed all your advice with regard to draw bends and I find that I can bend with little effort. The problem is that I cannot get my bends as low as you do in the lessons. Obviously I use you as my benchmark.

Tue I've only been at it for 6 months but I've been working it hard. You make it look so effortless. How long did it take you to be able to reach the full depth and range of your draw bends?

Thanks and regards,

Charrison7734

Hi David,

A few questions on improvisation

Reference chorus 2 on Temperature, as an example, how would I turn the first four bars into A A1 A2.

If I were to Use the first two bars then went up an octave for bars 3 and 4 would this be an A or A with fills, and lastley, If I were to use bars one and three then placed different notes in bars 2 and 4 would this still be an A and would this apply to bars 5 to 8

Last question, whats the difference between a fill and a variation.

Hope this makes sense.

Regards,

Paul

Hi Dave,

What is the reason for changing from a G harp in second position to a C harp in third position in "Walter's Mood"? Is it the range of the tune, or the different feel of the third position? I know I can't play the last three choruses with the G harp without sounding weird. But I also wouldn't be able to tell whether the last three choruses were played in third position if someone asked me.

Hi David,

I struggle with two possibilities that both get me to the 10'+:

1) blowing uo my cheeks and pressing the tongue slightly to the face of the harmonica

2) making my mouth small an getting the tone with a little bit more pressure (sounds more like puckering)

the second way is easier for me at the moment and gives me the feeling of more control. the first way is more relaxed but harder to control.

I ask this because I never saw you blowing up the cheeks to do this bend.

What do you think is the better approach to practice? continue reading...

I've been practicing some speed runs/ pattern playing (out of Winslow's Dummies book and your Rock Harmonica book). These patterns are fun to play, but how does a guy implement these speed runs in a solo? continue reading...