Ask Instructor David Barrett

David, this might be a personal choice, but what lesson would you suggest that a student think about getting a microphone? I am completing the Temperature lesson.

I probably will get the Hohner Blues Blaster. I have these harmonicas.

Marine Band C
Marine Band Special 20 A and G.

I know the Strut uses the D Harmonica and later on I might pick up another Special 20 C.
I don't know if your lessons require a C Harmonica.

I am on a tight budget but I could get the Microphone first and then get the next Harmonica.

Any guidance or is it my choice. continue reading...

Hi David

Study 2 Solo Harmonica When using the Metronme when do I time the " Click " Ex 1.5 first line the ( + 3 Click ) 3 4 ( + 5 is the next click )

In Ex: 1.6 the first line click is on the 321 draw than click on 2 + Not really sure where should the Clicks be ? on the +'s

Thanks

David,
I am deeply saddened at the news of Fritz' passing in August. I purchased a JT-30 shell with a Shure CM 99A86 from him and I love the mic. I e-mailed him 2 days ago to ask him about a volume control issue I am having and when he didn't respond I call his cell and spoke to his son. What a huge loss! He was a terrific guy with a tongue -n - cheek outlook on life. And he was a very talented musician and singer. RIP Fritz.

PS David who do you recommend to do a possible repair on my mic?

Thanks

Dave, you have supplied great study material. I am looking at Bending Study 1 .pdf and noticed that you did not include Mouth Diagrams for holes 3, 2 and 1.

What would be the location sounds for these. I am verifying what I have been doing with the K spot and the closing down of the area of the tongue to the relationship to the top of my mouth.

Do you have another page for this .pdf for the lower holes?

Also, do these side view diagrams accurately show the anchoring or placement of the tongue behind the teeth?

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Hey David - great series (as always) by Mark on Bandstand stuff! I was wondereing if along with all your other great plans, there was anything planned for those of us who live for jams. I'm not in a band, don't have immediate plans to join a band and therefore attend as many local jams as I can. Playing with a band, you get a chance to play instrumentals for several choruses, but in a jam, you usually comp and then get a 12 bar, or if lucky 24 bar solo. I know you have "I'm playing all night" tattooed on your finger ;-) but when you only get a short solo, how would you approach this. continue reading...

I am enjoying the Solo study. I use it as a warm up in the morning.

I have found that the TA and the TEE enunciation for the chords are the key for me. I look at the examples and voice them first. It makes fitting the chords together with correct rhythm and timing because I can pre-plan what I am going to do with the sounds.

For more involved exercises like 1.10 examples, the James Cotton lick, do you personally still have the TA TEE feel when you play? Or maybe should I say that we should still try to use it in a more involved example.

Thank you so much.

Will

Hello David,

Please tell me what does Little Walter do.... is it a shake ? the song is Long Distance Call and the place is at 40 seconds from the start.... I am trying to collect all of Little Walters recordings where he played acoustic Harp....I love to play acoustically and listening to LW play acoustically is just wonderful. I can see in many of his recordings the influence of John Lee Williamson... I hope you do an Artist study of John Lee Williamson (Sonny Boy Williamson-I) in the near future.

Thanks & Regards,
LearningTheHarp

Hey David, continue reading...

David here is what I just posted to Winslow. Thank you so much for all of the personal help and your well designed and thought out website.

Success on all notes on A harmonica.

This is what did it. I believe I might not be doing things in a text book manner, but you have gotten me bending.

I had to use my video cam that is in my Windows Movie Maker software to find out what is going wrong in my mouth. It could feel real good but be real wrong.

Here are my adjustments.

HOLDING THE HARMONICA - THUMBS UP BLOCKING RIGHT TWO HOLES continue reading...

Hi David,

My 2 draw on a harp didn't go flat but it doesn't ring out or respond as nicely as the other notes now. I took it apart, when I flick it it doesn't have the resonance. Can a fracture in the reed cause this? I've blown out reeds before but the note is still in tune it just doesn't vibrate for as long and takes a little bit more pressure to get moving now.

-Taylor