Ask Instructor David Barrett

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!

Hi Mr. Barrett-

Man, Gary's Blues is really a big step up from the past study songs huh? I am having a hard time getting all of the techniques right while trying to stay in time. I have been working on this piece for a month now. I still can't play it to sound perfect. :(

Hello David,

I have some issues with my breathing practicing Feelin' for the Blues. In measure three 2nd chorus I'm wondering if it is not more efficient to play the first two 2 draws as 3 blows, particularly when I'm playing the 1 draw before in measure two with tremolo. What do you recommend?

David,

There is no "Submit Recording" button on "3rd Position Study 2".  I tried to submit but couldn't find it.  Is this a bug in the web site, or intentional because subsequent 3rd position lessons will build on this and that's when we submit?

Thanks,

Steve

Hi David,

In the final homework assignment, in LOA 4, Improvising, should the end product be entirely original or should we/can we, borrow licks from material already presented?  In presenting the assignment, you mention both, using original licks and borrowing from already learned material.  (The challenge is to come up with an instrumental using all five chorus forms.)  Making it all original would obviously be more challenging.

Thanks in advance.

Homer.

Hi David. I am starting from the very beginning because I don't want gaps in my studies. Before I started with TB I was just at the point to manage overblows with the pucker. Is it also possible to play overblows with TB? 

Greetings

kai

Hi Dave.  In Temperature, you start out the 3rd chorus by slapping the 3-hole blow note.  I know the chord is supposed to be extremely short, and I'm not doing it short enough, but I clearly hear myself playing a IV chord against a I harmony.  It just doesn't sound right.  Is it OK to play it that way anyway, or should I draw the 2 hole instead? Thanks