Ask Instructor David Barrett

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

David:I am a little confused regarding the tongue block pull notation used in the V-IV-I transition licks of Improvising Study 4.   In Example 11, over the V-chord, the notation shows 4-draw on the downbeat followed by a pull on the upbeat, where the pull is notated as involving all the notes of the chord (1234).  However, in Example 12, the notation for the pull following the first 4-draw shows only three notes of the chord (123). Can you explain the difference in notation/technique?

Hi David,

I've picked up a free month trial on the 31st of December after buying a Big River Harp on key of C. After 2 days on intense training, I'm in paternity leave for 5 weeks so got tons of time on ym hand in between each diapers change, I went and baught a Special 20 in A key to start the main lessons in the hopes of following the LOA program and subscribe after my free month trial.

  continue reading...

Hello,

I was given a Special 20 C Harmonica as a gift with the 30 day trial for lessons. I have never played harmonica before and looking forward to learning. Unfortunately, it says I need the A Harmonica for the first lesson. Is there any way for me to work around this? Do I have to figure things out for myself? 

Suggestions?

Thanks very much.

Hello,

I was given a Special 20 C Harmonica as a gift with the 30 day trial for lessons. I have never played harmonica before and looking forward to learning. Unfortunately, it says I need the A Harmonica for the first lesson. Is there any way for me to work around this? Do I have to figure things out for myself? 

Suggestions?

Thanks very much.

Hello David,

(Look for the TL;DR if you'd like to skip the intro) continue reading...

I have an opportunity to buy a Sonny Jr.Blues Cruncher amp from the friend of a guitarist I play with.Are you familiar with this amp;if so ,any comments or opinions.I've seen a video of him paying and the amp sounds good,very muddy.

Thanks,John Vallee