Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hello Dave

I m learning to blow and draw clean single notes using HarpNinja

as the visual aid. 

I know that 3B = 2D = G note on a C harp.

But I can get 2 hole draw light to come on HarpNinja regardless 

if I am doing 2D or 3B. Why? 

Am i doing something wrong with tongue blocking?

Thanks

Alan Tay

Hi David,

ok, so now I'm feeling like an absolute beginner again like I did for I don't know how many years when I first picked up a harp and puckered away. But I still haven't given up on this magical thing called tongue-blocking. Good for me I guess but my ego is hating it :-) continue reading...

Dave, what Backup Trax CD of yours should i be using for studying 3rd position G harp?

key of D? correct?

Thank you!

Good evening David,

I am hoping that you would not mind sharing with us some if not all of the common bad habits/incorrect technique that you encounter students forming during the learning process and how to correct them. I think i might be forming some.

Thanks in advance!

Mark

Hi David,

I have just started out on your training and have a Hohner Silverstar C harmonica. Is it ok to use the C harmonica for the starting lessons(where you mention using Key A)? I am very new and have no background on music including understanding Key A, C, G, D, B Flat etc. Your lessons are very well structured.

Thanks

Vikash

Hi David! Could you have a listen at these two snippets, and advise whether that weird sound (kinda rattle) from my 2 draw bending on a D harp is the effect of bad technique or a reed problem? I only started to use the D harp a week ago, so it could be I haven't adjusted my mouth accordingly yet. Thank you.

https://soundcloud.com/stefieblue/reed-problem-1

https://soundcloud.com/stefieblue/reed-problem-2

Hi David,

I love the course so far, but I seem to have missed something important!

Walk With Me starts with a 3 draw, but I have no idea how to tongue block it. I understand how to "block 3 holes" to play a 4 hole or "tongue switch" to hit the 1 hole, but what about holes 2 and 3? I don't recall (and can't find) you talking about this.

So, how do I even start? How to draw 3 without puckering?

I will guess just slide my tongue more to the left...do it again for hole 2? Two hole feels weirder than weird this way.

Sorry to be so confused, Help me. continue reading...

Hi David,

In the seventh and eighth measures of the fourth chorus of your MP3 recording of "Feelin' for the Blues", it's the notes from "Walk With Me" and not the melodic run down from the 6+ shown in the sheet music. I've been just practicing and playing from this recording in my car so when I started reading and playing from the sheet music I thought I was losing it. 

Thanks,

Hugh

In the opening video of LOA3 you say that for the accompaniment section you want us to play on one hole for a verse using the notes available on that hole to follow the chords. Then the second hole for a verse, up to hole 6.

Have I understood that right?

Is a verse the whole 12 bars? In which case do I submit 6 versions? One for each hole? (Is that even possible?)

Thanks.

Hello...

Please could you tell me how can i get such trumpet sound like yours in the recording. It is just apm or something else ?

Thanks for your answer.

M.