Ask Instructor David Barrett

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

Hi, Dave:

In a song like "Highway 59" or "Cleo's Mood", the band breaks on bar 12. How should a soloist treat these areas (during an extended solo)? I can imagine using this area to buildup to the next chorus, but I think that maintaining a beat or two of silence (along with the band) might be effective. How does a top level pro like David Barrett approach this type of song?

"The Tub", Chorus 3, contains several phrases that move in half steps on the 3 hole. I'm looking at bars 3, 6, and 9. Though you haven't notated slurring these notes, it sounds better to me that way. Do you prefer students to learn it with or without slurring the notes?

Hope you're feeling fine!

Hi David,

I'm not sure if i'm hearing right, but it sounds to me that for example where there is a 3 draw dip followed by a Bb (As in chorus 1, bar 12 V chord), there is no dip on the 3 draw just a draw 3 followed by the Bb. Am I hearing incorrectly.

Many Thanks,

Paul

The 3 Draw on any G Harmonica I have is difficult to play.  I've watched your video on 3 Draw issues, but even when I can play the 3 Draw, and move to 4 Blow, when I return to 3 Draw I get an airy or high pitched noise again.  What do I need to do differently?

I'm curious to know what the intended progression/flow is for the lessons.  For example I'm certianly a beginner to the tongue block technique so I'm starting at lesson 1.  Lesson one has 3 main study areas: tongue block, solo study, and music theory.  It doesn't appear that there is any real order with those areas, is that correct?  Same with the rest of the lessons? continue reading...

Hi David,

When performing the 3 draw half step bend with dip, does the dip start at the 3 draw whole step bend then go back up to the half step bend.

Regards,

Paul

Hi David,

My question involves the slap attack on pairs of eighth notes, specifically in the LOA7 test example 5.2

As I listen,  think I am hearing you slap only the first note in each pair.  Is that correct?

Thanks,

-Steve

Good Afternoon David,

Whenever I see 4/4  time, do I always set my MT-60 to 76 bpm, or is

it 80 bpm? 

thank you for your help..

Patsy