Ask Instructor David Barrett

Which version of GarageBand will you be using for the videos on recording - GB6 or 10?? I'm used to using 6 and have downloaded 10 but I'm finding it confusing so I'm hoping 10 but at this stage, just curious.

Hi, David:

On pulls, I can use either draw or blow chords. Generally, the note preceding the pull dictates what sort of pull I use. However, in Solo Harmonica Study 2.1 and 2.2, the sequence ends with a Pull,  2+,  Pull. Since the pull is preceded by a 2+, my mouth wants to do a blow pull. However, since it's in a I-V bar, it sounds a bit awkward. Should I practice getting it as a draw pull, or would a blow pull be acceptable?

Thank you.

I am 53 years old and have wanted to play the harmonica since I was 15 but never knew how to approach it. I took it up two years ago, starting with lessons from Portnoy, Gindick and Gussow. I found your site last fall and found exactly what I was looking for; the rich full sound of tongue blocking in a well-structured progressing in learning. continue reading...

Hi David! I have tryed to learn this classic one , with full tongue blocking ! It´s my main focus now. The worries i have is in the 3 bends in  the 1st chorus, 2nd ,4th, 6th the IV section ! I don´t get them clean ..... Do you have any good exercise or any good advice? Thanks/Micha

I just received this harmonica was a gift and have little to no experience playing whatsoever. I tried to start with some bigginer videos but I didn't find anything introductory. Is there anything that could get me started on the core basics so that I get an idea of how to play? If I can get rolling then I know I will be able to start progressing.

In the Accompaniment book the arrangement for Ex. 4.18 Boom, Boom, Boom has a 3 beat pickup before each chord change. In all cases, except for the pickup before the IV chord, the last pickup note is 2". While I can see that the 1 draw looks like a better choice before the IV chord root I don't hear anything amiss with the 2". Was wondering if it sounds better to you or perhaps you had some other reason for making that choice? Thanks!

Hi David,

Where in Ryan Walker's study lessons was solo 2 in 12 bar? I am unable to find it now.  It was the

toe-tappin solo.  solo study #2...

my other question is that I don't understand how to do tremolo on holes 1 & 4 with tongue vibrato?

If I use my tongue to block holes 2 & 3, then I'd have to move my tongue to be able to do the

tongue vibrato. 

 Also, I'm just starting my journey on learning to tongue block bend.  Is there a book on just this subject?

I'm grateful for your help.

Patricia Frizzell continue reading...

Solo Harmonica in LOA 4 says work on Ex. 2.1 and Ex. 2.2. These are bass lines with lots of pulls. We covered these in LOA 3. Is the intention that they're so important the student should go back and continue to work on these throughout LOA 4? My pulls are getting much better when isolated but in a musical sense are weak so I've got no problems with continuing to work on them, just want to ensure I'm doing what's recommended. Thanks!

You and Joe T. have a very clear conversation about the chorus form used in the 5th chorus. My understanding is because bar 10 deviates so much from bar 2 you agree to call the chorus form A A1 B. But it's labelled A A1 A2 on the written music. Was the Joe video a correction and should I relabel my copy? Thanks!

Hey David, what chance of you posting a series that isolates your full range of backing grooves you've used to back the great list of interview playouts you've done on BH.COM? 

It strikes me that learning those grooves would be great for us all so we can back fellow harp players and get some practice together in exactly the way you have pioneered.

What do you think?