Ask Instructor David Barrett

I just wanted to tell you and other members how great the song study is -> Feelin For The Blues.

It is great for many reasons.

1. I have Walk With Me in my repertoire already so I can concentrate on bending.
2. You have put the number 4 hole bend in there and it is not as daunting when you are playing in the song versus trying to just do it by itself.
3. It gives me a sense of confidence that I can play the song and bend these notes. That is just wonderful.
4. It shows that a old guy can do it and enjoy playing it acoustically or with my JT30 microphone. continue reading...

Hi David I m woking on the vibrato , I ve been doing tremolo last 10 years so that skill is strong enough, burst when I practice on the vibrato (tongue blocking) when I practice without the harmonica I get the move of the tongue with the throat moving as an engine , but when i put the harmonica and the tongue touches the harmonica instead of start moving the tongue it starts moving my cheek , and i dont get the vibrato I only get the tremolo how can I adjust this?

Hi David,

I know the Gary Smith Study song has some Junior Wellesque stuff in it but it would be really cool to have a Junior Wells study song sometime. Just a request. Know you're busy :)
Taylor

This question refers to the sequence of the study plans, such as the one on this page:

http://www.bluesharmonica.com/beginning_study_plan

I get the general idea that at some points in the lesson plans, we will doing two or more Study sections at a time. For example, while we are working on "Beginning Section Two"...we will be working on three sub topics:

- Tongue Blocking Study 1 (Walk With Me)
- Movement Exercises Study 1 - Patterns (but, only the portions of the exercises without bending)
- Solo Harmonica Study 1 continue reading...

Hey Dave! Working on the Feeling For The Blues and I am trying to clean up my forced 4th hole Bend.

I have one question about these practice areas that I am working on.

I am trying to utilize a yawning position of the jaw, (dropping of the jaw and opening the airway in the throat) that drops the tongue flat on the bottom of the mouth. Drop the jaw and move it forward a little.

This helps me flatten the tongue on the bottom of my mouth and I can see a clear shot back into my mouth, versus having my tongue blocking a clear path. continue reading...

Hello David!! I have to say this is the best harmonica lessons I ever had!! I would like to know if you can explain the technique of Rick to make vibrato on 3' draw (half step bend) that he always uses. Thank you very much!!!! Big Hug !! Mariano

Dear David,

I have been studying lessons 1 & 2 of your Solo Harmonica Studies. I was also listening to this track "Traintime" by Cream on their Wheels of Fire album. I was amazed by the initiial rhythms played on it. Wanted to know if it was possible for you to guide me on how that rhythm is achieved.

I'd highly appreciate it.

Regards,
Sridhar

Hi David, I got my JT30 from a fellow student. How cool is that.

I have a question about the placement of the harmonica on the face of the Microphone.

The JT30 has a bar in the middle of the face. Where should I place the back of the harmonica?
On top of the center bar or below it?

I am really enjoying the Rollin Rhumba lesson.

Will

Hi David,

In one of the videos, Mark mentioned there woudl be a parts list.
I was hoping to find out where I can purchase the Bias pots that Mark used.
Also, with the compu-bias meter, were you able to play while it was connected and then adjust or had
to remove it each time?

Last question, what did you finally goes with for V1,V2,V3 tubes in the 90 reissue and are you still using the JJ's power tubes biased at 34.

A link would be helpful.

Regards,

528hemi

Hey David with the teaching session with Joe you are working with him on his first Pull.
You are starting with the 4th hole slap and then from there getting the pull technique.

I can do a tongue slap on the 1, 2 and 3rd hole and have them blocked with the left side (blade) of my tongue and have the 4th note sound great. So far so good. You want us to then stick out more tongue and then cover, in this case 1,2,3 and the 4th hole that was sounding with the slap. Got it. Now it's the Pull. continue reading...