Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi Dave...I am working my way through the intermediate level songs right now. With repetiton and practice, I am able to learn the songs quite successfully. The challenge lies in selecting licks and applying them to the chorus forms. Is it just a matter of selecting the licks I like, and repeating them until they are solidly in my memory and repertoire? After many hours of repetition with several licks, will I build up a vocabulary of licks that I can randomly recall when required?

Does it sound like I am on the right track and\or are there other things that I should be doing?

Homer.

David, is it correct to say that the Slap is more tongue orientated versus the Pull is more lip puckering and plucking?

I am trying to do the Pull with the same tongue feel as the Slap. Are they close brothers or entirely separate?

I am watching you and Joe in the beginning Harmonica lessons and it looks like you are using your lips to make the plucking sound. He seems like he plays using more puckering versus tongue blocking.

It is only what I can see and figure out by the videos. I know you want us to tongue block. continue reading...

David,

I really enjoyed this study. I felt like picking up my Gibson again and I did it.
I just found a little typing error at page 12 Ex 5,17 bar 7 : G is 6+.

Best Regards,

Eddy

Hi David,

The Eb line is missing in Ex. 5.8.

All the best,

Eddy

David...Hey what makes the videos open slowly and then a few seconds into the lesson the video stop and then start and then stop? Tommy Hutch

Hello David...

I think I am more of an acoustic player than anything, right now. I do have a bullet mic that I sometimes practice with. I was wondering what your opinion would be as far a getting a vocal mic, something like a Shure SM57 or 58 and a mic stand to practice with? I am thinking that it would prepare me to use this type of mic when playing with a band, as far as hand effects and how far to stand away from the mic, etc.

What do you think?

Thanks, Homer.

P.S. This is a great site and learning resource.

Hi Dave,

In the first chorus of Take It Easy Now, am I right to be doing a tongue-switch when I play the one draw? Also, in the V, IV I part, again, would I do a tongue switch when playing the one draw moving to a one draw half-step bend with my tongue to the right? I can bend well while tongue-blocking, but, bending while my tongue is to the right is a little bit different to what I am used to doing.

I just wanted to make sure I am approaching it correctly, based on your tongue-blocking lessons.

Thanks, Homer.

I believe geographic might not be the best word for certain areas of the tongue but that is what I am going to use for this inquiry. I have been going over your new lesson, Tongue Blocking Study 2.5 and have realized something that relates to bending notes.

It seems that I have been only using a certain area of my tongue to bend. It would be the front right half of my tongue. continue reading...

You have been really busy putting this stuff out for us. Break out the chapstick and the water. This is going to be a blast working through your new material. The trainer is on my list for next month's harmonica material.

Will

David...Is there a place where one can buy 5 key sets of the Marine band Deluxe model?