Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David,

I'm gradually starting to build my licks for the chorus form and can utilise them in the AAA, AAB and AB/AC forms, however when I try to ncorporate fills either made up by myself or from the study songs, I more often than not cannot keep time and then I get totally lost. I've tried slowing the jam tracks down, but still find myself in difficulty as described above.

Regards,

Paul

Hi David,

I'm still trying to fully wrap my head around the whole "always referencing the C harmonica" thing.  I get it when it comes to scale degrees (as you talked about in MT Study 2) but when it comes to the actual reading of your music notation on The Strut, all written note are tabbed with C harp notation and the D harp that I'm playing doesn't match the notes as written. continue reading...

David,

Are you slapping the last two 45 notes of the 7th measure in the 5th chorus of Gary's Blues? I'm finding that sequence of 5 times (45) - after the pull 5+ 4 3 in the 6th measure - is coming out as a messy blur.

Thanks,

Kirsty

Searched for Interviews but couldn't find what I was looking for so thought I'd ask for a short answer. Your interviews are remarkable from who've you've got to contribute, the content they provide and the sheer magnitude of the information. Wondering if there are any individuals you've interviewed who might offer the most to a relative beginner? I'm guessing the role Gary Smith played in helping to form your playing style makes him an obvious candidate. Any others or any particular videos? Thanks!

A search lead me to the essay written by Mark Heffington. I believe I met him last month in San Jose. Very encouraging information. I was searching for how best to use LOA as that's the approach I plan to follow. My question is should each study in a level in the be completed before moving to the next study? For instance, should the song in Level 1 be finished before music theory or should these be approached concurrently? Thanks!

Hi David,

My name is Patricia Frizzell....I just went to movement exercise patterns.  I see the sheet music, but

how do I get the audio?  I did download the pdf....but I don't know what else to click on to get audio?

please help me...

Also, I loved the San Jose workshop.  Can't wait to come again next year.

thank you for reading my question.

Patricia

Hi David,

You previously explained to me that for the purpose of this exercise, when playing hole 2, for the V chord, draw 1 would be acceptable. Would this also be ok for playing hole 3 and hole 5.

Also for hole 5 what draw note would I be using for the I chord.

Kind Regards,

Paul

So I've been a pucker player for quite some time...although the bending technique is not mastered, I have fairly decent bending skills, not flawless by any means but decent. I feel like I'm having to relearn playing and it's frustrating. How can I best use your site? Can I just play the songs in the pucker embouchere and work on TB'ing as I go? Does this mean I have to abandon the levels of achievement process and work on other techniques? continue reading...

Hi David,

I'm wondering what I am forgetting to do, that I don't have audio with my study songs?  Like I wanted to hear

tremolo & vibrato.   Do I click on two things?  like where the red and or green little box icons are by the choices?

I see the sheet music, but no sound.

thank you for your help...

Patricia

at e-mail mikefalcon3@frontier.com

Hey Dave, I understand the theory of the draw reed bent is the blow reed sounding at some point in the bend. I would assume this is the same in reverse for the blow reed. i.e. the draw reed is making the sound for the blow bend. Is this correct? Thanks!