Ask Instructor David Barrett

I found your video with Jo Tartaglia (Applying Chorus Forms - Part 1) really helpful in terms of how to structure improvising practice. Especially in terms of sticking to a single turnround until it's engrained. continue reading...

David,

At the start of the third measure in Chorus 3 of Gary's Blues, on the sheet music there are two 3+ before the rest. (it goes 3+ 3+ rest 3+ 3 pull 6+ 5.) On the mp3 of you playing, and in the video when you play the whole thing, I only hear one. Am I not hearing correctly?

Thanks!

Hi, David:

Chorus four of "Gary's Blues" ends with a pull and then three 2 draws, all with slaps. The slapped 2 draw sounds weak to me, because it's only got a 1-2 draw chord behind it, so I'd like to substitute a 3+ and get the stronger sounding 123 blow chord. Is this okay?

In general, should I attempt to play your transcriptions and match your recordings exactly, or can I now begin to make slight changes? Things like the above note substitution or adding bends for expression? continue reading...

In Gary Smith's submission about Intro from the V he mentions listening to early junior Wells when Junior was doing LW.  What recording is that? Is it Junior Wells - Blues Hit Big Town on Delmark but is actually the stuff recorded for United FRcords?

Currently I play all the cool study songs and artist studies from sheet music. Do you have any efficient method or approach how to memorize these songs that I can play them without reading the sheet music?

Thank you

Ralph

Hello David,

I am new so I hope this is not to basic. I am starting to use a metronome and was wondering what bmp is the song Walk With Me. I do not see that listed for that song and the song temperature. is there a standard? by the way this site ROCKS!

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