Ask Instructor David Barrett

David:

You managed to provide various grooves to our study songs and solo studies. This has been useful. Would you ever consider providing a video lesson just soley focused on groove types and how to approach them? This would be good when playing with a band. If they call out a groove we will be able to recognize it and start strategizing licks.

Thanks

Brian

Hi David,

  As I work through the Solo study 1, Chording....ex. 1.12 ....as I get into the chording, I find

after 6 to eight bars, I have too much breath and need to let some out.  I need to release the

breath, but still stay in rhythm. the one 2 blow just does not seem like enough of a note

to expell all the air I need to.    My question

is that of where/how  to release more  breaths and still stay in rhythm (and not over blow the

2 blow) ?

  continue reading...

Hi David 

I'm busy working my way through Walk with me. 

I can noe play the song through 'reasonably well' and use the vibrato etc. 

The thing I'm struggling a bit with is the two hole section on the 6th Chours on the first to the second measure.  continue reading...

Hi David,

I don't know if this is something common but here is what I've noticed through the learning process.

I usually play crossover but I own also some seydel 1847 classic.

G harp, It happens the following.

When started to learn octaves I was using the seydel and at some point I found myself stuck and it was difficult to play some fast octaves passages.

I swiltched to the crossover and noticed I was able to play those better on that one, so I staied with that one. continue reading...

Hi David 

I'm busy working my way through Walk with me. 

I can noe play the song through 'reasonably well' and use the vibrato etc. 

The thing I'm struggling a bit with is the two hole section on the 6th Chours on the first to the second measure.  continue reading...

Hi Dave,

One idea for the future.  It would be cool to have a video series someday about how to tab out music the way that you do, then have a spot in the share section or a type of library where students can upload either classic songs that they've tabed out, tributes, or songs that they've created, and be able to comment on/change their submissions.  As long as it didn't turn into people arguing over whether "that one spot in a Little Walter song" was a draw pull or blow pull it might be fun.  I'm sure that's a ways off.  Just an idea. continue reading...

Last Sunday at the Swig Bar in San Francisco, the band leader called "You Never Can Tell" in C, which is a song I had played before, but this time I was armed with my Low F harmonica instead of my regular F (after seeing David's travel case post).  When I was playing in the lower register, I noticed that the sound I was hearing from the PA seemed to disappear.  When I played in the upper register it sounded like it always does. continue reading...

Hello David, I am new the harmonica and your lessons. I am wondering where I should start the lessons. I started the tongue blocking lessons. I am a  little confused about the LOA would you please enlighten me on this. Thank you for your time.  George

Hey Dave - Studies 4 & 5 of the Recording Sessions are killer. It really brings home all the stuff you gave us before and so good to hear/see the 'real McCoy' when it comes to the top level musicians and the actual studio. I can hardly wait to see the next few episodes.

Big time thanks

Ive been at it about 3 weeks and practice at least a half hour day.  Is there some technique to orienting your mouth and accuratly finding the holes for single blow/draw?  I can find my way with nearby notes but if I just pick up the harp and try a 5 blow for example I stuggling.  In trying to play Walk With Me I continually get two holes or a leak into the next. 

Questions- Is proper technique to drag your tongue around to sort of feel the holes or is it better practice to lift and place the tongue for each note?  continue reading...