Ask Instructor David Barrett

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

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?