Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David! I've got a hard time bending my 1st hole on my A and G harp (tongue blocking, that is, with puckering it works fine).  It just won't bend enough to be on the right pitch, no matter how much I drop the jaw or back my tongue. Must be something I do wrong. Anything I should focus on for these particular bend? By the way, I'm able to bend it on a C harp for exemple. Thank you.

Hi David,

I love the screaming sound of F harp. I find quite difficult to bend it on 3'' whole step, tounghe blocking:

The problem is that I get the pitch but I can't sustain the sound, often it comes out dull and after a couple of seconds the reed stops. I'm orienting myself to focus on less air usage but I suppose the embouchure should be changed. I can perfectly bend all the holes puckering. Any suggestion?

Thanks,

Luciano.

To get the full bend on the 2 draw can you tongue block or must you pucker?

Hi David,

I've just heard Butter Strut and thought that it absolutely brilliant. Have you any more rock harmonica recordings/lessons which I can purchase so that I may learn. Being into classic rock, Blues Rock and Country Rock, this is the direction that I eventually want to concentrate on with my Harmonica playing.

Many Thanks,

Paul

cant find it on the piano, although it's suppose to be in the F# major scale

Hi David,

Living in England, just wondering where I can I buy your new CD, infact where can I buy CD's that you mention in your tutorials.

Thanks for the help,

Paul

What's your take on the Hohner Rocket David?

Since I'm a selft taught (until now) intermediate to advanced intermediate player, I've been going through the lessons from the beginning to fill in the gaps in my playing.  I've been reviewing some of the bending lessons in the last few weeks without delving fully into them.  I can do bends, and I have played bends when I play (for example the whole step bend on Low Rider).  But I'm confused as to what bends are the more typical ones that one should play. continue reading...

Hi, continue reading...

The quick reference say's to submit a recording of 1.2, 1.4, & 1.7 using a metronone however the webpage doesn't mention the submission. Is a submission required and how long should the recording be?

Thanks, Roy