Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi david, ive been in levels of achivement and havn't got really far. I am having trouble with the tongue blocking exercise.

Im trying to get single notes with your first exercise. wholes 1,2,3,4 and blocking 1,2, and 3. Sometimes i find that i might be getting single notes, but then when i draw it sounds like a mess. Also i feel like my tongue is getting pierced by the comb all the way to the left where the screw is. 

Do you have any tips for helping me out becides the instructions in the video. Or can you further explain your instructions. continue reading...

Hi David,

Please could you help me out. With regards to practicing Garys Blues and The Strut, when I play along with you on the harmonica, I have no difficulty in completing the study songs. When I put the jam tracks on and play along to to the music, without exception I always go wrong and make a mess which obviously throws the timing out for the rest of the song. This usually happens around the second part of the song in both cases. I use the ASD and have slowed the tracks down to around 80%. continue reading...

Hi David,

I've learned Walk With Me, and now I can't find the jam track to play along with?

I thought it was in Ryan Walkers list of lessons.  I'd love to have a CD of Walk With Me...

so I could play a-long anytime. 

I really like playing this song, but I'm happier with music to go with it .

thank you for help..

Patricia Frizzell 

Been working on slapping the 1 hole for a bit. Is it just me or does the slap sound odd given the notes being slapped down on are all higher than the target note? I'm also working on pulling the 1 hole after the slap. It's a bit of a tongue exercise but I'm wondering if there's much practical application? Thanks!

In I Want You With Me V1 the accompaniment pattern tends to use lower notes during the guitar solos and an octave variation when there's vocals. The difference is mostly on the IV and V chords. Was this purely musical choice or was there another reason? I'm asking because in Accompaniment Study 4 I'm freely using both Ex 1.1 and Ex 1.2 when there's a guitar solo in I Want You With Me but wondering if perhaps one octave range might be the better choice or if it's just whatever I feel like playing? Thanks!

Hi.

In one of your bending lessons, you covered the technique of slapping into a bent note.  But I recall that, in your answer to one of my questions, you said there are certain bent notes (like 3" if my memory serves me well) that you don't generally use a slap on.  Since I don't want to spent lots of time working on things that are not ususally done, could you please tell me which bent notes you use slaps on? 

Thanks!

Hi Dave:

It occurred to me that it would be great to have a sit down with say James Cotton, Billy Boy Arnold and/or any of the other living guys who played in the 50's and get their answers to your standard questions.  ie to speak with players who didn't have You Tube, or CD's or even many records.  I would love to hear what their learning process was like etc

Hi Dave

Just working through my artist study for Jerry Portnoy doin blues for big Nate. I'm having trouble with the first chorus, basically running out of air with all the draw notes. Any ideas?

By the way really glad I started the LOA

thanks

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I believe you mentioned along the way that your tendency is to use the on/off flutter tongue and that most players tend to gravitate towards that or the side flutter type. My tendency is towards the side flutter but I'm working on the on/off as I figure the tongue is a muscle that needs a variety of exercise if it's going to reach its potential. To that end I've developed a simple practice routine and was hoping for your comment. continue reading...

Hello, Teach, continue reading...