Ask Instructor David Barrett

hi David,

is there going to be a competition this year?

cheers

Gareth

I apologize if this is not in the right forum.  

I just wanted to tell you that I think you're an amzing teacher and am extremley grateful for what you have done with your website...sharing with us all of your expertise and knowlege.  

Thank you. 

Hi, David:

In "Blues for Paul DeLay", Chorus 3 contains a 8-9 draw that begins with a dip. In the video, you mention that the tongue should be very forward when dipping this draw note. I thought that from 7-10, only blow notes can be bent. Is this "dip" a true flatting of the note or is it just a sharpening of the sound?

Thanks,

Marc

Hi  David

In  Eighth Notes: Straight, Swing and Triplet in L.O.A  1  Solo 1 working with a metronome at 5:15 you say that the Down beat is longer and the up beat is shorter. Now is the down beat a blow or draw and the up beat  Blow or draw. Having trouble . I using a metronome  Not sure what is the Down beat and up beat

  continue reading...

Im a beginner and have many hours into working with Walk With Me but my commitment remains stong.  Progress is slow but there is progress. continue reading...

Hi David,

Should we be able to play a study song as proficiently as you do before submitting it?

Thanks,

Hugh

Hi, David:

Not really a question, but something I found helpful while working on 5 hole draw octaves. I have two A harmonicas. On one of them, I put some tape over holes 4,5,6. Then I try the 3-7 draw octave and I can train my ear without having to worry too much about tongue position. Then I try to put my tongue out and block as much as possible without changing the sound. Finally, I switch to the untaped harmonica and see if I can replicate it.

Useful for any players who have more than one of the same key.

Hi David,

  Working my way through LOA 2, Ex. 1.5, you mention ' the flutter', could you

please direct me to the lesson on 'the flutter' ?

Thank you for your time

Steve

How would you know if/when it's the harp and not the player?

At a local blues jam last Tuesday - where before I got on I got the chance to see John Nemeth perform with some of the members of his band and a regular blues jam guitarrist! -  one of the songs called was in D, and I decided that it would be the perfect time to try out my Super Chromonica on stage for the first time.  However, I found it rather challenging to work with the PA mic.  Usually I place the lower end of the harmonica a couple of fingers away from the mic (sometimes I cup the harmonica in front of the mic but never around it). continue reading...