Skip to main content
Blues Harmonica logo

User Account

Username:*
Password:*
Forgot Your Password?

Visitor Menu

  • Sign Up
  • Sample Lesson #1
  • Sample Lesson #2
  • Student Recordings
  • Forums

Ask Instructor David Barrett

Ask head instructor David Barrett questions regarding your lessons at BluesHarmonica.com

Tongue block bend problems

Posted Sat, 12/26/2015 - 12:41 by Kalijae
Kalijae's picture

I've learnt how to tongue block to produce single notes and looked into bending. In all of the videos people talk about pulling the tongue back or away in order to open the air stream and produce the lower pitch. How can you tongue block for the one note if it is necessary to pull the tongue away to bend?

Backing Track

Posted Wed, 12/23/2015 - 11:57 by Intervaltraining
Intervaltraining's picture

Hi David,

I'm putting together an instrumental for LOA 6. I'm using a backing track which is in the key of E but my A harmonica needs repairing. I was therefore going to use my Bb harmonica and play in the key of F. So using the AMD do I taking the backing track up by half a semitone.

Have a great christmas and thankyou for all your support this year.

Regards,

Paul

  • 1 comment

Evaluation

Posted Tue, 12/22/2015 - 05:36 by Bones53
Bones53's picture

 David... Can a student send in songs/song studies we are working on as we progress? In other words as a beginner can I send in music every 2-3 weeks or so for evaluation/constructive criticism? Would it be considered part of our monthly membership to have this done?

  • 1 comment

LOA7

Posted Mon, 12/21/2015 - 13:18 by Carl Björknäs
Carl Björknäs's picture

I am about to learn the study song "Blues for Paul deLay" which is played on a low F harmonica. But I have a hard time finding a low f harmonica. The Hohner Thunderbird seems nice but also quite expensive, is it worth its price (around 100$ here)?. I like Hohner Marine Band Deluxe, but it seems like the low f isn't sold anymore? Any advices? I'm not so fond of the Lee Oskars I got.

  • 1 comment

LOA 1

Posted Mon, 12/21/2015 - 05:31 by Bones53
Bones53's picture

David... Just to give myself a realistic time frame.. Starting December 20, 2015 when is a realistic date a beginner should be ready to turn in his audio after practicing for 1hr a day?

  • 1 comment

what bpm should the "walk with me track" be at?

Posted Sat, 12/19/2015 - 20:15 by dsaccucci
dsaccucci's picture

I was playing around with garage band and put in the song walk with me.  It seemed fast at 120bpm.  Is that the correct bpm? I was just trying to playaround and try recoding.  

Thank you.

David Saccucci

  • 3 comments

'Tramp' groove track

Posted Sat, 12/19/2015 - 15:52 by Doug Spencer
Doug Spencer's picture

Dave, is the 'Tramp' groove track you and Gary Smith play to in the Contributors section anywhere on this website? If not where would one look?

  • 1 comment

6 Draw Sticking

Posted Fri, 12/18/2015 - 18:31 by Grant
Grant's picture

HI David, I keep noticing my 6 draw seems to stick, but I only seems to happen when i'm coming up from the 5 draw or  coming down from the the 7 draw, so It seems less of a harmonica issure and more an issure with my technique. Not sure how to fix it though.

  • 2 comments

high notes

Posted Fri, 12/18/2015 - 14:38 by driesvw
driesvw's picture

hey David,

I'm a beginner and i'm just starting to learn to play the harmonica, i've been practising for about three weeks now but it seems i can't get these high notes to sound good. Especially when sucking from hole 8-10, i don't get much sound out of them or they sound pretty false. Have you got any tips?

thanks in adavance

Dries

  • 1 comment

Pulls

Posted Fri, 12/18/2015 - 12:00 by M.Blues
M.Blues's picture

Hej David !

 

Let's say that I do the blow puls... +1+2+3 and in moment that I block all the holes and I do the pulls...  I must inhale the air for the moment or I just do it when i blow it?

I hope you will understand me.... :)  I know that is the stupid Question.

  • 2 comments
  • « first
  • ‹ previous
  • …
  • 233
  • 234
  • 235
  • 236
  • 237
  • 238
  • 239
  • 240
  • 241
  • …
  • next ›
  • last »

Sign me up!

Full access to all lessons starts at $20/month! (with annual subscription)

Subscribe

Free Sample Lessons

After watching the BluesHarmonica.com overview video, try one of the lessons below to experience a lesson at BluesHarmonica.com.

  • Tongue Blocking Study 2 – This study is for the newer player or the player new to tongue blocking
  • Bending Study 5 – This is for the advanced player looking to improve their bending skills

Contributors

  • Aki Kumar
  • Joe Tartaglia
  • Gary Smith
  • Mark Hummel
  • Joe Filisko

Site Links

  • About David Barrett
  • Accredited Instructors
  • Links
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Contact Us
Hohner
© 2009 - 2025 David Barrett and the Harmonica Masterclass Co. for Bluesharmonica.comSyndicate content