Ask Instructor David Barrett

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

Would it be o.k. to assemble a drummachine with a simple and steady rythm instead of a metronome in the LOA tests, particularly in the Solo Harmonica section? I like to play much better with a drummachine than a metronome.

Hi!

A few days ago I submitted a study song and got some helpful and thorough feedback. Of course, I am going to use this feedback to better my playing. Can I submit a new version of the study song, after I've modified my technique?

Draws 2 and 3 seemed to sound fine on the A Harp when I was practicing Walk With Me.  But when I moved to the G Harp, Solo Study 1, Example 1.6, the 3 draw and 2 draw get very airy sounds.  I've experimented with different embrochures: sticking the harp deeper in my mouth, trying to flatten the tongue, tilting the harp etc.

I feel sure you've run into this with other students.  Have you got any guesses as to what may be wrong and what I should try to do to improve this?  Thank you

Hi David, what happened to all the artist series study songs you use to have? Will you be bringing those back at some point? Thanks

I'm having some trouble on the "Rollin' Rhumba" (version 1). Specifically, I can't regulate my breathing well during Chorus 6. Almost the entirety of the chorus is draw notes, and there's really no time to exhale. It's a quicker song than any I've done before on this site, and there's no long held notes that I can allow to decay (and use that time to catch my breath).

Do you have any techniques to help with this, or is it a matter of practicing it until my lungs get used to it?

Mr. Barrett: I'm sorry if this posted twice. I think I erred the first time and am not sure if it posted.  In any event here are my questions about solo harmoica study one.

1.  For proper progression through the levels of achievment, should I learn Examples 1.1 through 2.8?  (At one place on the web, you commented to focus for now on Examples 1.1 through 1.7.  Seems like I need to go all the way through 2.8 but I'm not sure if that's what is needed.)

  continue reading...

Slowly, I am pushing myself to get out and play at blues jams. Next week, I'm going to be accompanying a vocalist as the band plays "Key to the Highway."

For my solo, I plan to use several choruses of "Walk With Me" (LOA-1). While I'm comping, I will use the strategies I've learned with fills and hitting the root notes. But I'm wondering about the turnaround. Since the last two bars are the same chords as the standard 12 bar, should I be using the same types of turnarounds? Will root notes produce a satisfying accompaniment?

Thank you for your help.

Sorry to bother but, TB 1: Section 5. I can't seem to find the PDF's that go with this.? I've got TB Study 2 Exercises as well as the study song, however when Dave is referring to the licks to be played I'm lost. Could someone point out my error(s). By the way I'm very happy with your teaching and considering I've only been playing for 7 weeks, (maybe 8), the progress is amazing. another 3 - 5 years and i may actuall be good? :) TIA!