Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hello David,  I have been working on "No Sweat" the level one chromatic song.   I am having difficulty with getting my notes to sound loud enough.  (I am working on chorus 2).  I realized today that on almost all the one draw notes I am opening my nose.  So I pinched my nose while playing and I notice a dramatic volume gain( especially in bar 7 on the 1 2 2+  11+11).  I have been trying to not open my nose, but it seems to be a natrual reaction.  Any tricks, advice on how to stop this?  or why I am doing this?  

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I am currently  on LOA 3, so you may explain this in future lessons.

Regarding playing though the chords (I7 = G,B,D ,F, IV7 = C,E,G,Bb, V7 – D,F#, A , C ) .

I use the sound track ‘ I want you with me ‘….When I play on the I7 chord….I do not feel it sounds continue reading...

Fuschia here.  I've been blowing harp awhile, but am now going through all the levels of achievement.  One problem that I have is clogging the harp with my spit when I play-I know yuk.  Do you have some suggestions that I can start working on to overcome this problem?

Hello David.I really liked the performance training 2 (grooves) lesson. The idea of telling the band a song that they can relate to is awesome. Like the "mojo" example. It would be great to have a list of songs, one for each groove. With one like that we cold understand better the grooves and it wold be great for jam communication. Do you think you can pic some songs and create a list like that? Sorry to bother. Beast regards.

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