Ask Instructor David Barrett

If you work through all the LOA's, will you eventually have seen all the 'Lessons'-under the lessons-heading ?

or are there 'lessons' that are not included in any of the LOA studies ?

Feeling like a kid in a candy store on the site....it's great...just want make sure I get the most out if it...my plan is to work

through all the LOA's.

                Thank you for your time continue reading...

Basic question...

LOA 1 - Getting started - Blues harmonica Fundamentals,.....

In  this lesson you advised to play other single notes using the tongue blockong method.

Sooo, If I had been playing with the song ' Oh Susanna'....instead of puckering this tune...

I should tongue block it instead ? You mean...having the mouth open for 4 holes,

and blocking the 3 holes to the left (lower notes) and then moving about hte harp to

play that song ?  ( I know you do not mention that song...but the impression I got was continue reading...

Hi David,

The jam track that you use when you play My Blues on your video lessons, is different than the Pete Schmidt jam track that you provide as a download.  The guitar part is outstanding, especially during bars 7-8 of choruses 3 and 4.  I like it a lot more and would like to use it.  Is a full 5 chorus copy available?

Thanks

Hi David,

I'm working on my octave-playing skills now, focused on the "my blues-octaves". I think this issue would be worth an extra lesson for me. So my quiestion: Is there a special study you can recommend me to walk through parallel to practicing the study song? kind regards - kai

I was a long time student of David's but havene't been an online member for a while, but lo and behold I guess I have a temporary membership, because I get a free month when I buy a harmonica from Richard Sleigh. So I wanted to post David's answer to my question for everyone's benefit:

Here's my question: continue reading...

Hello Instructor, sorry for disturbing you again! Hope you´re doing all right.

Just a little thing that I didn´t get: What´s the difference between the AAB chorus form, and the AAB with fills? In general, they are both the same! right? Because if I do 2 repetitions of the same lick (AA) an then a different one (B), it becomes (AAB) and if I do two reps of the same lick (AA) and then a different one (with 2 measures for example) (B) and then a turnaround I´m doing the same thing! continue reading...

When doing Ex. 2.3, Acc. Playing #5 for LOA5, are we limited to playing chord tones on the hole that we're on, or can we play any note on the current hole?  Can we play passing tones or use rhythmic effects available on the current hole? 

Do you want us to try to make music, using Chord Forms if desired, or just clearly outline the chord changes?

Hi

I have recently started recording myself. I find I have developed a problem that I am having trouble rectifying.

When practising bends eg 3' to 3" bend in the cupping and Hand effects lesson. I seem to get an momentary "audible stream" of air before the bend happens or as it is happening. I can't hear a similar thing on your study recording.

Can you offer a way I can improve my technique.

Thanks

Hi David.  I was doing lessons here for a little bit earlier this year using the free 30-day trial that came with my harmonica and I've just gotten a paid subscription to the site. continue reading...