Ask Instructor David Barrett

Level 1 player, I can produce tone now on all 10 holes so new I not even tried bending yet "newbee" the question is that

I have tried exe.1.1 octaves and I can switch from holws 1 ,4 by switching my tongue but I CAN NOT PLAY OCTAVES TOGETHER.

at all, does this reflect BAD single note technique, I'm worried that even though I can make a tone on the holes I'm not doing it 

correctly could be just wired technihe,I have the felisko tb and it helps but it's  not definitive it seems to cover 3 holes but it continue reading...

I've got a song I've been playing that I figured out simply by humming the notes and pitch matching on my harmonica.  While I know that I'm on an A harmonica I'm not sure if I'm playing in the key of A or the Key of E (or honestly another key, i.e. 3rd, 4th... etc).  I'm thinking that its probably the key of A (1st position) but I really don't know how to tell.  I want to find someone who can accompany me on a piano, but I need to be able to tell them where I'm at. continue reading...

Hi David

Today I got a Filisko tongue block trainer and saw that I am not using my tongue as you do. I am blocking holes to either side of the hole I am playing. I suppose with a sort of u shaped tongue. To my ear this gives quite a nice dirty sound to a four slap for instance with 5 sounding initially but it explains my poor and hissy bent tone as I think i start to cover some of the hole.

Is this a recognised form of tongue blocking with advantages and disadvanatges or is it an abberration all of my own? continue reading...

Hello David,

Long time musician re-cooping from hand surgery by learning harmonica. Can you explain what the "+" in the tab mean (Lesson 1, Ex1.1)?

Thanks,

Bill

David:

Since I started your lessons almost 2 months ago, I have been getting up nearly every weekday morning and practicing for an hour before I go to work. Your lessons are supreme. Your website is bar none, the very best! I can't thank you enough for this! continue reading...

 David... In your tips forum you posted a link to Jason Ricci's fav jam tracks on YouTube... I'm just getting through your Accompaniment lesson 2... Learning accompaniment to the slow blues, is that taught later? I ask because it doesn't sound like a 12 bar blues to me and I don't know what to play with it.

 David... Going through the accompaniment lessons I'm a little confused. I'm learning the notes corresponding to the 3 chords are G C D ...2D 4B 4D.. but using the A diatonic those aren't the notes using the same 2D 4B 4D in following the chord progression to the 12 Bar Blues. Can you clarify. I'm guessing no matter which key harmonica you use its knowing the draw/blow holes that's important.. Can that be right?

Hi David,

I have a question for you.

when you are playing a bending is it necessary use the tongue blocking technique?  or if you are playing a song with a lot of bending it is not indicated?

thank you,

regards

Federico

David,

Is there a Jam Track to practice the licks to, especially whle learning on Section 4 of Level 2?

David,

Love the site.  I'm playing Gary's song and was surprised to see that sometimes the pulls are in the opposite direction from the preceeding note. Is there a rule you use to decide whether a pull is a blow or a draw?

Thanks,

Dan