Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David - I am really enjoying your site and your approach. I am making good progress on my Harmonica journey.

I am also learning guitar and would like to know if you can recommend a site that has the same quality and approach as yours for learning to play guitar.

Thanks, Gary

Hi David,

I saw on one of Jon Gindick's beginner youtube videos, he recommends using a 'k' articulation (like 'kya') for draw notes, because it really opens up your airway and raises your soft pallette, which is good news for tone on those draw notes. In your lessons, I saw that you also used 'kya' but 'kya' is more for dips, and you recommend starting with 'ga' for straight notes, which achieves the same raising of the soft palette. continue reading...

this may be stupid but I need some direction? I did loa 1 and 2 and find myself playing better but am I skipping lessons that I should be playing ? I am looking thru the web site and seeing other lessons?? Should I be playing these also and if so what order should I practice ? Thank you

Hi David, just got a new hohner silverstar C and I have a 30 day free trail.

It says on the harmonica fundamentals that I must have an A harmonica. Is this essential or can I just use my C?

Thanks so much, I love the site.

- Luc

Hi David, just got a new hohner silverstar C and I have a 30 day free trail.

It says on the harmonica fundamentals that I must have an A harmonica. Is this essential or can I just use my C?

Thanks so much, I love the site.

- Luc

Hi David, just got a new hohner silverstar C and I have a 30 day free trail.

It says on the harmonica fundamentals that I must have an A harmonica. Is this essential or can I just use my C?

Thanks so much, I love the site.

- Luc

Hi David, just got a new hohner silverstar C and I have a 30 day free trail.

It says on the harmonica fundamentals that I must have an A harmonica. Is this essential or can I just use my C?

Thanks so much, I love the site.

- Luc

Hi David, for some reason when i'm tongue blocking I am having a problem where certain reeeds will stop sounding or sound like there is something in them. I tap them out or let them sit for a few minutes and they are fine, but it happens pretty often and i'm not sure what to do about it. Could it be that i'm building up too much spit around the reeds or do I need to somehow chanige my technique?

Thanks

Grant

Hi David. I was wondering if you could offer some tips on getting a bigger tone above the 6th hole.

thanks,

Grant

You are referencing go to example 4.1 for some of this and then go to example 4.4. Where do I find these. I see that you are playingfrom the 3rd chorus of "Walk with me" the first 2 bars as the A, but why are you referring to this as example 4.1, and how do I find where you went to 4.4?