Ask Instructor David Barrett

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...

I have noticed that the monthly interviews are becoming lesser. I love to read and hear from the harmonica greats especially how they got started and how they play. I also notice that they don't always answer your questions in the area of theory and how they do what they do. My impression is that the harmonica players just do what they do as a matter of practice and musical ability. Most play other instruments and have had musical backgrounds.

Anyhow keep up the good work and keep the interviews coming.

Chuck Desch

I'm looking for a new challenge, and absolutely love William Clarke's chromatic instrumental Blowing Like Hell from the Live in Germany album . Do you happen to know a source for the notation for this song.
I have found the chromatic comes some what a little more naturally than the diatonic . But I greatly enjoyed combining the two in your chromatic study The Big One. Thanks so much for such a wonderful chromatic study.

David, I am coming along fine with Gary's Blues, but I want to ask you about your approach to lines that are similar to the 3rd Chorus of Gary's Blues. We are talking about running out of breath for the licks that start with a 4 bend. You have two of them back to back.

I am tongue blocking with the tongue on the left and the note sounding on the right. When I slide to the lower holes, two things happen at the same time. I end up in a U block or as I would say the Cleavage Block and I am running out of breath. continue reading...

Hi! Wonder if you know where i can get hold, of the CD "Crazy Mixed Up World" with Mitch Kashmar ? Thanks

Hi, I am unable to view videos
I am unable to get help
I am unable to call you for help
I am unable to stop the recurring charges

so could you or someone else PLEASE HELP

thank you mx

David....Have been playing the Chromatic more lately and listening to the "Interview" sections as well. I have been playing in a band that plays a lot of music other than straight traditional blues; I only have small solo sections in most of the songs we play, but, there is quite a bit of room for me to play horn lines and harmony lines with the Sax and rhythm guitar. My question is, How do I approach accompaniment playing with the Chromatic? As an example, we do a A minor jam to introduce the band at most shows and when I am not soloing I would like to accompany. continue reading...