Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi, a harp player from Sweden here! My cheeks are moving when I´m playing the harp. It looks like when Little Walter is playing. Is it bad to move your cheeks when blowing the harp? Your cheeks (David Barrett) are completely still, Why?

I'm enjoying your tips on the songs in the "School of the Blues House Band Standards List". Is the whole list published, or are you waiting until you've done tips on all of them?

David:  I want to make sure I understand how to approach using the bass line examples in Accompaniment Lesson 7.  When I wish to play a bass line with a band either as an accompaniment or part of a solo, should I first ask the bass player to identify the bass line he/she is playing in order to ensure I select the appropriate bass line?  For example, if the band is playing a shuffle, should I try to play the same type of shuffle bass line (for example, root note shuffle, Root-3rd-5th, Root-3rd-5th-6th, Root-6th-5th-6h, Root-3rd-5th-6th-b7th)?  What sho continue reading...

Hello, I've been learning the study song Walk With Me, and was wondering what beats per minute I should set my metronome to so I will be in time with the backing track.   Thanks, Teddy

Hi, David:

In one of your videos, you mention that you have transcribed (or catalogued) over 1000 harmonica instrumentals. Of those, you said, 1st position instrumentals were 4 or 5. What were they? What are the most important/ influential 1st position instumentals? (The way "Telephone Blues" is to 3rd position bluesy playing)

David -

My wife and I came to this site becasue we found a subscription offer with our Special 20s. The harmonica is not our first instrument, and we have had numerous instructors over the years. We both think this site, your teaching methods and the material you offer are first rate!

My wife is happy that we started this as it has us playing music together more, but she is working and has other musical interests. continue reading...

Hi Dave

Before L.O.A. when  B.H.com just started I summitted  "walk with me" ( the best I could do just starting) and you replied back. My question is can that count as a submission in Level 1 L.O.A.?

Thank you   

Hi David,

I have switched to tongue block recently about a week ago although i have played harp for one month.

I had this query that when i move across the harmonica playing single notes my cheeks raises and i also tend to move my jaw in tne direction of the harp. I used mirror but it did not help. I tried to move raising the cheeks but i had to lift the harp from my mouth . Please help.

Hi David,

I have switched to tongue block recently about a week ago although i have played harp for one month.

I had this query that when i move across the harmonica playing single notes my cheeks raises and i also tend to move my jaw in tne direction of the harp. I used mirror but it did not help. I tried to move raising the cheeks but i had to lift the harp from my mouth . Please help.

Hi David,

I was looking at some of the songs Joe Filisko has posted on his site.  When describing 'skills needed' he mentions 'Ghost Chording'.  I don't recall Joe or you talking about this in the lessons posted on BluesHarmonica.com. Or at least using that term. Listening to some of the samples on Joe's site I am wondering if it just might be kind of 'comping' (as in quitar) using a pull techique. A muted chord.

Could you explain this technique as it relates to the approach on BluesHarmonica.com?

Best,

Andrew