Ask Instructor David Barrett

I am really excited about your Chromatic studies. I believe that it should help me with my Tongue Blocking and Tongue Pulling techniques.

Thank You, David.

Will

Hi David!

How would you recommend to integrate the exercises from your books (First lessons and Blues Harmonica 1) in the study plan you recommend (10 min. technique exercises; 30 minutes study songs; 20 minutes improvising)?

Should I consider them as technique exercises? Licks exemples? Some may be used as study songs, I guess.

Any suggestions?

Thanks in advance

Hi Dave,

Do different Keys have different feelings or characteristics? I know Am over A will be darker but is there a reason why someone might choose A over Bb besides that the singer sings better in that key or the instruments that are available?

In that vein, do "naked" notes have characteristics? In other words does C have an inherent emotional quality outside of a particular scale.

Any backing tracks come to mind that would be good for (the live version of) William Clarke's Lonesome Bedroom Blues? (I can change keys and speed with software)
Thanks.

Hi David,

I understand that the root note of the chord is going to give the most feeling of resolution

What feelings do the Chord tones 3rd, 5th, b7th, 9th conjur, etc? IAre some more dissonant than others?

I understand that Scale Tones are going going to give the feeling of a need to be resolved but do they each have different "feelings" associated with them?

-Taylor

Hi David...I would like to say that all the material on this site is excellent, and I am thoroughly enjoying myself.

I was wondering, though, if you ever sing and have you thought of presenting some material with vocals? If you don't sing, perhaps you could employ John Garcia. I thinking in terms of instrumental breaks and maybe intro's as they would be used on a number with vocals, and not necessarily just accompaniment.

Thanks in advance for your reply.

Harmonica H.

Hi david,

I checked out a part of the blow bend series and I have a weird thing going on with my harmonica. and generally speaking to bend as far as you can for as long as you can, but when I do it on the 6th draw and get to the D note on my G harp it is starting to shriek really bad as if it's falling a part. when I blow bend it doesn't happen. is it a technical issue or am I not bending correctly? continue reading...

David, in response to your post asking if we are all enjoying the accompaniment material as much as you are enjoying writing it for us, and if we working on the blues music theory material. My answer is definitely YES and YES. Your material sets the standard.

Hi David...I am working on The Strut right now. Tongue-switching is a new technique for me. Hole one is played a lot in the first two choruses. So, I just wanted to confirm with you that when I play hole one on this song that I should be tongue switching. continue reading...

I am working on the pulls for Gary's Blues. I have the tongue block trainer and it helps.

I am reviewing your Pull Review with Joe and at the 1:30 mark you tell Joe that on the slap you are using the top left of the tongue. I thought you would use the top right of the tongue to block the note on the right.

Am I misunderstanding the position of the tongue? I have a tendency to have my tongue too far to the right and I asked you if you had to have your tongue angled a certain way it would be to the left. continue reading...