Ask Instructor David Barrett

You show your tongue going to the left for the HAL feel, but then you say use the top of the tongue for the technique?
Also, I am having problems hearing the chord and then the slap in the practice tracks. You mention that they are miked, but for learning the chord and the slap I can't visualize an example to get it into my ears.

You mention to your student to have a chord sound prior to the slap. Do you slide into each note with a chord and then a slap?

Everything else is great. I am concerned about this technique.

I find it really hard to hear the 1's in groove that's used in Garys Blues. In the third chorus for example, there I pretty easy pin point the first 1, but always miss the second. I have to count "1,2,3,4,1,2,3 and into the bend" to get the timing correct. When playing with you, I get it right often, but that's because I hear your change in tremolo. When playing without you I feel lost because the groove is so flowing, the bass just wandering around. continue reading...

I am trying to find a way to monitor the movement of the tongue from being flat to humped up. I am doing the vowel sounds as you instructed. Is there a trick to feel the tongue more.

Thanks David.

I should have asked this on the previous question, sorry. I have a new Hohner 20 Harmonica and I tap out my saliva and let it air out etc. I believe I am doing good breathing technique etc., but the beginning Solo drills I am making a muddied sound on hole 2 mostly draw, but the blow could be sharpened up.

I reviewed again your first lesson on holding the harmonica and where the tongue should be etc. but It still sounds forced.

Thank you David!

I am new to your site and I am enjoying what you have created for us.

I am elderly and I am having a small problem with understanding

1. positioning of the hold of the Harmonica, which side of face would the Harmonica be laying across and

2. the orientation of what you mean with where the tongue is pointing for tongue blocking. Is it moving the tip or the base of the tongue which would move the front part of the tongue.

I am holding the harmonica in my left hand as was instructed in your earlier lessons and I can isolate one hole with correct blocking. continue reading...

Dr. Dave, I've always had a problem choosing the key of a song, so I was thrilled when you posted the "how to" section during the intermeadiate lessons with Ryan. So I watched them a couple times took note and the first song I tried was Carey Bell "lonesome stranger"

Here's what happened:
I liked Method 3 so I used my "C" harp played each note and determined that "D" matched best so in 2nd position that would be a "G" harp. I played along to it and I thought it sounded pretty good, I needed work on matching the song but it seemed I was matching it ok. continue reading...

Everyone and teacher David, continue reading...

Greetings! David, I recently purchased a couple more of the Masterclass Series books; I was informed on the web page that materials were no longer offered at this site, and, was directed to Amazon, etc; Amazon is where I purchased them. Along with the purchase, you would usually offer a "Free Gift" from that section of the site and I was wondering if that gratuity is still applicable to the Amazon purchases? continue reading...

Hi Dave,

In the video for chorus 3 you say that a lot of sax players transcribed would be hitting the 3 draw whole step bend. Did you mean the half step bend?

-Taylor

david i have a friend that personally new jerry mccain and has written a book called the life and times of jerry boogie mccain that jerry asked him to write so its sort of an autobiography he finished the book this year im not sure if he sent them to book stores or not but i can get some copies if your into reading some blues history just shoot me an email and ill get you one jbth12@gmail.com thanks