Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David,

Loving the start of the LOA course, although I'm struggling with the tongue blocking method. Having gotten so used to the puckering method in folk music it kinda feels like back to square 1 but I plan to stick with it!

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Hello, I am new to harmonicas. But I am determined to learn in honor of my recently deceased grandfather who played harmonicas all his life. I started with buying a hohner blues bender, but the 9th hole is really hard to blow and I want to upgrade it. So I have been lookign at the Hohner marine band and the Hohner blues harp, and I am wondering which one of those would you recomend for me to get.

Second I would also like to know what key I should get it in, since the first one I bought was in c. But in the videos you said we should use a harmonica in the key of A. continue reading...

Hello, I am new to harmonicas. But I am determined to learn in honor of my recently deceased grandfather who played harmonicas all his life. I started with buying a hohner blues bender, but the 9th hole is really hard to blow and I want to upgrade it. So I have been lookign at the Hohner marine band and the Hohner blues harp, and I am wondering which one of those would you recomend for me to get.

Second I would also like to know what key I should get it in, since the first one I bought was in c. But in the videos you said we should use a harmonica in the key of A. continue reading...

I can play by puckering but I am just learning to tongue block and I am finding it difficult.  How will I know when I am supposed to tongue block versus puckering? Is there any notation or just implied by the title of the excercise? I know lesson 1 is tongue blocking but I am assuming in the shaking lesson and others that puckering is fine. What would you recommend? Thanks!

Any advice for controlling/reducing spit?  I'm working on Temperature and between the end of the 4th chorus and the middle of the 6th I just can't keep from getting stopped by my own spit build up.  The biggest problems are at the 5 flutter and the note combinations.  Any advice?  I'd like to note skip playing any notes.

Hi David,

just got a hohner special 20 C.

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,

Fabrizio

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