Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David 

In solo study 3  1.5   1 2"  1"  2"  1 I can't get that up and down rhythm sound  When you do it. I'm trying  tongue  switching 

( T. S. ) and puker  and  ( ko) on 2" 

Thanks  Harplayer

p.s what do you use  T.S  or  pucker?

I don't know if this is a harmonica techy question or a technique thing.

I am studying the LOA1 and getting an unclear sound on 2 and 3 blow when doing the solo harmonica studies.  The triplet 2,3,2 is very breathy like there is a 'huff' before the notes starts.  And even when the notes starts it is very breathy.  I also have trouble with the 4 to 3 draw because the 3 gets strangled.

  I don't think they are related problems, but that's what's happening.

Is it tongue position or the hole not being cleanly open?

  continue reading...

Hello David...I have been working on my chorus forms.  I noticed that in some of our material, you use the ABC chorus form.  Examples would be in Gary's Blues and My Blues.  Up to LOA 5, you do not cover this chorus form.  Is this something I can look forward to in future levels?

Thanks, Homer.

Hi David I think this is simple question.  How do you recommend micing an amp through the PA?  Put an SM57 or similar about an inch from the speaker, maybe an inch or so from the edge, and start with a flat eq on the PA, no PA reverb or anything?  Any tips on sound-checking it?

I have a situation coming up where I may need to do this, not sure.

I'm guessing you don't do this very often, but I really liked the sound of the MegaTone amp miced through the PA in the bassman chronicles.  Do you recall what you did there?

Thanks!

Steve

Hi David,My question was regarding the IV chord in several of the Level of Achievement 2 compositions...Temperature, Accompaniment Study. The I, IV, V chords are 3+, 4+, 4 or 3+, 1+, 1 and yet there are instances of the IV chord as +2 (Temperature & Accomp.#2) and 5+ (Accomp.#2)

The chords work but they don't fit the I,IV, V typical note patterns. Can you clarify?

thanks,

Howard

Hi David,

I'm using a nice notation software but it doesn't have simbols like shakes and flutter tongue. Can you suggest one to write down my scores ?

David, is there a software or a conversion process that I could use to play, for example, classic Stephen Foster songs that are historical played in straight harp to 2nd positon, crossharp?

I know the songs, and I was going to work on playing them in octaves. I have found that with my U Blocking I can play the Octaves.  continue reading...

What are positions?

David,

I've started work on The Strut. My tongue-blocked bends aren't accurate, especially on the 3s. Until that's improved, should I just stick to doing the double notes in the first chorus as the lower single notes, or should I go ahead and go for the doubles? In other words, is doing the doubles also a useful exercise to get the bends developed?

Thanks!

Kirsty

In the hand position the "pinch"  can you play numbers 8 9 and 10