Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hello,i just took a C key harmonica silverstar. Can i do the online lessons with this one or i need an A? I m new to harmonica.

Hi Dave,  I'm starting on LoA Level 2.  I notice that there are a lot of exercises in Solo Harmonica Level 1 that I haven't even looked at:  1.8 - 1.15 and 2.1 - 2.8.  Would you recommend mastering those before moving on to the exercises in Solo Harmonica Level 2, or moving directly to Level 2? 

And while I'm asking, I can't find an explanation for the bracket below the second through 5th notes in the first measure of Solo Harmonica Level 2.  What does it mean?

Thank you.  Your instruction is much appreciated.

Nance

 David... Would it be safe to say a good way to go through LOA 1 is to just follow Hob Bosold's lessons from top to bottom?

Hi David

I am having some trouble hitting the 3 draw 1/2 step bend with any reliability.

no problem with the other notes on that whole. When I do hit it - I don't hold it very long. I am not really sure where I should be focusing as far as adjustments in my mouth.  

do you have any suggestions or drills focusing on it?

Cheers,

Andrew

I have just completed LOA 1 and clicked on the link in my email for artist studies,

the page loads and says artist studies at the top of page, but there is nothing else.

I have looked through the web site to try and access this from the site and not through

the link in my email. Where and how do I access this? I have tried this on both a laptop

and ipad with no success.

I am super excited to continue my studies and thoroughly enjoy your site

and teaching.

thank you 

george

I am having difficulty conceptualizing a few things. You stated that you only need to understand the configuration of where the notes are on the C harmonica, and not to worry about where the notes are on the other key harmonicas. I found some introductory shhet music to a song called love in vain by the stones. I picked up that it was in the key of G. I transposed it to the key of C, but it didnt sound right. I also worked out the tabs for the C harmonica and then used those tabs to try playing the song on a G harmonica but again it didnt sound right. continue reading...

Hello David,

i was checking out and listening to the mp3 file for the blues and found that the mp3 doesn't sound the same as the tab is written.

as i checked your video it was the same.

in the mp3 its using the speedlick in chorus 4  from the song "walk with me" while in the song "feeling for the blues" its a different speedlick.

just wanted to let you know its not corresponding with eachother so you can adjust that small difference if you like.

also, i have 1 month free subscription from my hohner bluesharp. continue reading...

Dave I understand the slap technique/concept for blowing, but for drawing, does the the chord come first, and then the tongue block for a single note, or do you single note block first and then lift off to produce the chord, in a drawing maneuver.

Also for the lift it appears the sequence you are looking for is to start with a blow or draw chord chord, then slap the single note, then lift off the harmonica ending always in a draw chord for the lift. Is that correct?

Greetings!

I'd like to purchase a tongue block trainer, but I can't find it anywhere. 

Could you tell me, please, where can I buy it? I seached on eBay and on Amazon - but no one sells it.

I live in Israel.

Thank you!

Denis.

When cutting notes, how deep should I cut? I'm looking at "Walter's Mood", Chorus 2 (bar 5). Of course, when doing a 4 or 5 cut, I'll just drop to the floor. In this case, it's a 3' cut. It makes sense to me to cut down from 3' to 3".

Is there a rule for this? Cutting a half step down seems like a good overall policy.