Ask Instructor David Barrett

I was recently speaking with harmonica player Michael Rubin, out of Texas, and he suggested I take up the chromatic. He said that learning the chromatic will help me immeasurably in my playing of diatonic. He also said it will help me in playing octaves (since the chromatic's holes are wider, and three holes apart) on the diatonic.

I am sure that it could only be beneficial to a player to learn chromatic, but I think it might be too early in my development. I am finishing up my studies in LOA 3.

When do you think is the appropriate time to start messing with a chromatic?

David,  I am working on the C Major scale.  At the bottom of page 1 of the pdf hand out, Movement Exercies - Essential Scales, there is a note that states "Tip:  Try to understand why 2 draw (G) is used in some scales and 3+ (G) in others".

I do not understand, please explain.  While working in the C Major Scale I find it easier to use 3+ in lieu of 2 draw.  Am I setting myself up for difficulty down the road.  Thanks.

Can somebody please help me.  I have emailed twice with no response so I thought maybe somebody could help me in this forum.    I need to update debit/credit card info, but can not get to the "Reoccurring Fees" page.  Everytime I click it it says: continue reading...

I need some help learning the flutter tongue.  I mean, it's not at all hard to do from a technical point of view, but it sounds pretty clunky when I do it.  I think that might have to do with the rhythm (or lack thereof).  I'm wondering whether, when in the learning phase, I should try to pace it along a certain rhythm, like say triplets.  I know that you don't think about that when you're a confirmed player, but maybe at this stage it's a good idea.  What do you think?  Also, do you tend to speed up the movement as you reach the end of the beat? continue reading...

Hi David,

Thanks so much for your wonderful videos of teaching. I've been practicing the bending which I know it doesn't happen just over a night. It seems like I go so slow ever since. So I'd like to know how long it usually takes, so I know when to expect and if I've come the right way of practicing it.

Thanks,

Skon

Mr. Barrett:

I'm starting my 11th week of the Levels of Achievment Program and spend an hour to an hour and a half per day.

It would help me if I had a ball park figure as to the average length of time it should take to get through each of the following: Beginner Level 1, Beginner Level 2, Beginner Level 3, etc.

  continue reading...

Hello David. I have 2 questions. 1. I see that you get a wah wah sound by opening the bottom of your hands near your wrists. I have also seen people opening their fingers. Is there much of a different sound?

2. Some people I see online play their harmonicas upside down. Any reason why other than that they never had someone correct them so they fell into a bad habit?

Thanks...Francis

hey David. I want to thank you on this day for helping me in my attempts to be a player. after pretending to play harmonica for 15 years I joined 2 years ago. I could not really focus on practice as I found the amount of lessons and other good stuff on the site so voluminous! I almost quit the site when you launched the levels of achievement. At first I thought the badges and such was kind of silly but you have organized everything in a very impressive way and now I am able to actually focus on quality practice. continue reading...

Hi David,

I guess I have three questions.

How often do you check the tuning on your harmonicas with a tuner? How much can they be out of tune before you will scrape the reeds to adjust the tuning, or just throw them away/send them in to be worked on?

Also, it seems to me that harps are fine if some reeds are a bit sharp (the Crossovers seem to be tuned this way out of the box). Flat notes seem to sound worse. Why is that?

Thank you,

-Taylor

Hi David,

how do you articulate when you play the chording in the solo harmonica studies?

are you using only Ta-Ka ?

Thanks

Simon