Ask Instructor David Barrett

Following your advice I started the LOA approach on the 1st of May and hope to soon send in my recordings after I figure out the necessary computer skills. That's an adventure! Wanted to mention one thing about LOA. I'm sure you've given this consideration but here goes anyways. The material is of course excellent. However, given that the different study areas are to be done concurrently I'm finding I put in a fair amount of effort deciding what to do next and then more time keeping track of what I've studied and completed. continue reading...

Saw this post in the what's new section. Looked at the lesson section and saw this but also so Study 1, 2 3, 6 and 7. Not being super familiar with the site I'm wondering why is there no 5 and 6. Is the numbering system related to LOA? Thanks!

Hi David

I was looking at Solo Harmonica Study 3, which is for advanced players but you have some bass lines as part of your  Level 5.

Anyway, it's of course very hard to slap into a 3-hole whole step bend, and, when I listen to you play example 2.1, I get the impression you're not slapping there (the A in measure 5).  Am I hearing right?  Is it OK to play it that way?

Thanks

What means "Blue Midnight" Bass Line and where does that term come from?

Thanks

Ralph

Hi, David!

So I am now dangerously close to finishing up LOA-4. I have just the Accompaniment portion left, but I really want to take my time, as this directly applies to my experience out at jams.

As I am mastering the accompaniment study, should I spend my extra time working on "The Strut" (which I've chosen to skip thus far, instead working on "Take It Easy Now") or should I spend the extra time going into LOA-5 materials? Or should I try applying the accompaniment techniques when playing along to records?

Thanks for your advice.

In LOA 1, chorus 6 of Walk With Me has what you call a speed lick. I've looked ahead and see that tongue slaps are introduced in LOA 2 so I understand that this lick includes no slaps. But I can't help but wonder if speed licks sometimes include slaps or are they almost always played very cleanly? The speed required in Walk With Me doesn't preclude some tongue slaps, particularly on the first part of each triplet, so that's the kind of thing I'm wondering about. Thanks!

Hi Daivd,

In that assignment is asked to put a lick into the 5 chorus forms,

I suppose they would be AAA, AAA with fills, AAB, AAB with fills, A B/A C.

What about the ABC chorus form ?

Following the suggestion in LOA 2 I watched the first two videos about cupping a bullet mic. Good information but I saw something and didn't get the explanation I needed. If it's elsewhere on the site just point me to it. Some background. My basic grip has the last two fingers of my left hand doing most of the holding. My left index finger is on the harp. The remaining finger is at the mic's grill, it's curve matching the curve of the two fingers on the harp but it's main focus is to provide a barrier between the harp and the mic. I think mostly I'm doing what you're doing. continue reading...

Hi Dave

I have a question in relation to Wa Wa's.

I have been looking at your post on 26.8.13 (tip of the day). Am I correct in assuming that when there is a wa notation above a note that the wa wa effect continues with a sigle breath until the note changes i.e. the first bar of chorus (solo harmonica 4) where the wa wa continues until the note drops from 2 draw to 2 whole note bend? continue reading...

Hi David,

I recently started online lessons.  I have dabbled in blues harmonica before but am trying the ground up approach.   I sheepishly admit I have trouble sounding a clear  note on the 3 draw (actually I can bend it a half step which sounds clearer) on my new blues harps (hohner 535) G and A   (also 2 draw on my new C same make).  

I feel I'm missing something basic.   What could I be doing wrong?

Ken

charlotte nc