Ask Instructor David Barrett

David, is possible to play some of the beginning Chromatic lessons with a C Diatonic?

I am working a little with the Strut with a new D Harmonica and I am actually finding it is easier to bend. I know you said some Harmonicas would be more fit for each person. I practice playing all of the songs with all of the Harmonicas. I am feeling different muscles. You have to shift gears to feel it.

I watched your Chromatic lesson and it looks cool. Next month I can get one.

Will

David,

Do you know what key of harp John Lee Williamson used on "Good Morning Little Schoolgirl"? The recording is half-way between the keys of B and C. I'm guessing that it was in C, because I'm assuming that F harps were more commonly available than E harps back in those days (no internet, just what's available at the music store). I'm going to use Audacity to either raise or lower the pitch a bit and work on that song. I love his playing.

Are my assumptions correct? What key of harps do you think those guys could have picked up in music stores back in the 30s and 40s? continue reading...

Hi David,
Do you usually pucker or tongue block hole n.1 (really the 5th hole) on a 16-hole chromatic harmonica?
I tongue block it but.. how about the George Smith's lick on the 6th chorus of "No Sweat" (5 draw- 1 draw)? I tried to tongue switch like I would do on the diatonic.. didn't work. I'm getting it keeping the tongue on the left side of my mouth (regular tongue blocking) but I'm not sure this is the best option.
What do you recommend (generally and on that specific movement)?
Thank you
Flavio

Hi David. I tongue block and have the notes sound on the right side. I can bend the notes in the song. I enjoyed your study pdf and could do them with no problem. How cool is that. Anyhow what is the best approach to accomplished bending both of them at the same time. Let's say the 4/5 combo. I know you say do the 4 and add the 5 for texture.

My tongue currently is having problems knowing where to go. I blame the tongue on everything. I am getting close but I need a little direction. I tried moving my tongue to the right with no success. continue reading...

In EX. 1.3 of Theory Study 5 the chords I and IV are Major 7, but the V chord is a D7. Is it once again just a matter of availability that the C is used instead of the C# for the chord? Would it also be acceptable to use the F for the 7th (middle octave) in the complete major scale?Sorry to get hung up on little things, but when you don't know theory everything is a mystery. I am trying to determine when substituting is acceptable and when it isn't. continue reading...

David..what lesson is it that you had several songs of the non-blues variety? I can't seem to locate the correct lesson...T

in the Steve Guyger interview about 1st position, about half way through, Steve talks about sometimes thinking in "positions" when he is on the IV chord (like playing 1st position) or the V chord (3rd position) and you mention that there is some discussion on that on the website. can you direct me? That statement sort of blew my mind--and light bulb began to flicker.....

Hi
I found this study to be very informative but confusing on one level. You mention at the end of the first video to pick up an A harp. then in the next video, while we are looking at the downloaded PDF, we see that the arpeggio example is with a C harp. so the 1 blow on the A harp was a A instead of a C.

I really appreciate you showing how the tongue works when you bend by showing it to the side view. I finally got it. I have been bending but I have not gotten a good mental image. Little things like that add up.

On to the Strut with a new D Harmonica. Too much fun!

Will

This is not a question, I just wanted to express how excited I am to start the soon to be released lesson plan. The package you describe in "Latest News" sounds phenomenal.

Al Taylor