Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David,

I was thinking about how to deal with memory of the songs.

I learn a new study song or generically a song. I work sticking at the score until I record it.

After months, when I review the repertoire I play the songs, but some small detail are forgotten (like a single note or one pull or slap here and there). Nothing that changes the meaning of what I'm playing, just a detail. continue reading...

I find when I'm playing Solo Harmonica Study 2 material my natural tendency is to read the music rather than the tab and that leads me to almost always playing the low root note using 2 draw. Then looking at the tab I see you quite often seem to make a deliberate choice between the two possiblilites. At the speeds I'm practicing at there's no issue but I'm wondering if I should follow your tab more closely to head off any future bad habits? For instance, might I have trouble getting air out? Thanks!

Hi David...There is a video of Bonnie Raitt doing Runaway on YouTube. The harmonica solo is interesting. He plays a different harp for every chord change. The song is in Cm so why doesn't he use a Bb harp in 3rd position or a F in 2nd for the entire 8 bars? Here's the video if you haven't seen it. Its quite impressive. http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HPzcZNgVfpA Thanks...Fran

LOA 4's goal is to complete Homework #1. LOA 5's goal is to complete Homework #3. Not sure about #2. My question is "Is it necessary to complete all of the prep videos before attempting Homework #1 in LOA 4?" Thanks!

As mentioned in an earlier post I really enjoy the Joe T. and Ryan videos. They compliment your teaching videos by making me feel like I'm part of a group lesson. Then being able to ask you questions here completes the process.

One question about Accompaniment 2. It looks as if there are no Joe T. videos. As for Ryan, I can only find the one video though Ryan seems to be more involved in Accompaniment 3. Is this correct as I don't want to overlook anything? Thanks!

1)  I am just starting but want to use a good brand harmonica.  Intrested in bends and soulful playing.  What is the best for blues/rock/jazz.  I don't think I'll be playing any country.

2)  I have purchased a few harmonicas on ebay.  It seems that those and the new one I bought from the store have a really weak, hard to play 2 draw.  I tried adjusting the reed.  Are all harmonicas like that?  Why is it not as solid as the 3 blow?  (Are there some brands that have eliminated this problem?) continue reading...

Hi.  I'm able to get all the draw bends with an acceptable degree of accuracy almost all the time, but the tone is often atrocious.   I know the bent notes will always have a different timbre than unbent ones, but when good harmonicists like yourself play them they sound sweet and smooth.  But when I play, for instance, the 3 whole step bend on a G or A harp, it sounds more like a duck call than a harmonica.  Any hints on how to work on this?  Thanks

Trying to figure out how best to approach the many interviews. I've asked other subscribers if they had any suggestions so will see where that leads. Obvious approaches include favourite player or subject matter. One question for you. Does the listing under the Interviews link refer to the chronological order of when the interview was done or possibly posted by you? Or is there some other reasoning? Thanks!

It was mentioned that swing is assumed.However the triplets on the last bar of line 1 and the triplets on the second line were not swung when you sang and counted it.

example:  A four AND A on the last bar of line 1 instead of A Four     A

Am i missing something?

In the turnaround of chorus 6 the 11th bar is a held root note on 2. The 12th bar begins on the the same note but the tab suggests 3+. Is the purpose for this to help facilitate a tongue switch to the final note of the turnaround at 1?

I'm having much more luck with tongue switching than I'd have ever thought possible. Just comes down to muscle training through slow repetetion. In fact, it becomes quite natural and done without thought.

Thanks!