Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi david,

I'm working on exercises 1.1 to 1.3. My question is:

When I pull and I've to switch from a blow to a draw note, like from 3+ to 3, How I've to deal with the slap?

I start with the tongue off the armonica. I start breating as I move the tongue toward the harmonica and I finish with my tongue blocking single note 3+

After that, I find myself starting draving air when my tongue is still on the face of the harp. As I move it from the armonica It sounds like a small slap before I go to pull on 3+ continue reading...

Hi David,

I'm looking at purchasing the Tascam DR 05 of which two of the features are recording yourself and slowing down music whilst keeping the same pitch. Have you any comments either good or bad re this product and ultimately would it be a worthwhile buy.

Thank you for taking the time to read this,

Best Regards,

Paul

Will you have a lesson on the TASCAM LR-10 Recorder soon?  

Hi Dave. I just banged out Creeping the Blues study song under the accompainment section of LOA3 thinking this was a test song. Apparently i dont follow directions well. But i did enjoy learning a new song.  Was i supposed to use this song to record playingthe exercise of  verse one on hole one, verse 2 on hole 2 etc. or was there another track I am to use.

Hi David,

I just wathced your lesson about mic and cupping. I'm working with a bullet mic and Everyting is good to me but I would need some advice about cupping when playing the right end of the harmonica, let's say from hole 7 to 10. How do I have to change my hands on the harmonica ? Do I have to cover the left holes with my left tumb like emulating what I do when playin low notes ?

Thanks

Could you please give me a link to a video where you talk about "Tongue Slaps"?   

Thanks

Hi David,

the notated tempo of the examples is much slower than you play it when you do it "up to tempo" - is it ok when I record my assignements at a higher tempo than indicated? 

Greetings - KAI

I posted tis in "Gear", but no responses, so..

I am new to the LOA, and have harps in keys C, A, and G. Are there any other keys I need? They are all Special 20's, so I would like to have the ones I need for the course, but can wait on the extras till later on.  thanks

Hi Dave, 

where In the studies would you suggest for a beginner to pick up some tricks in learning slow blues, as wel as, some recommendations who to listen to for easier slow blues, to more advanced slow blues playing Please? I started off with the studies with really no interest in slow blues, but as I practice, slow blues has really caught my attention.  Cheers.

ps I also picked up the harp ninja, and it really does help alot. many thanks for that advice too! 

Shawn

Hi, David:

Kind of an involved question. I am working on the Improvising Study 1. For the ABAC chorus form (the third type of variation), I want to take my "A" lick and transpose it to the IV, for the "B". I am working on a lick that is challenging for me.

It's the opening lick from "Snake Oil." The notes are D, G, B, Db, and D. These work out to the 5, 1, 3, 5b, and 5 of the root chord. When I transpose this up to the IV, the notes become G, C, E, Gb, and G. The only Gb available to me (without overblows) is the 2'. So I have to utilize that 2'. continue reading...