Ask Instructor David Barrett

I have finished the Basics of Music and have digested probably 90% of it. Great job by the way. How would you practically use scale degrees in the playing of the harmonica?

Thanks,

Chuck

Hi David!

in the first chorus you play on the bVI7 chord the major 7 of Bb chord,
it's can be considered an outside tone of that chord?
Because it's the fifth of I7 chord

thanks

Marko

How does one overblow? Do you need a special custom harmonica?

Hi David

How can I learn a song fast . This is just an example BAD TO THE BONE
By George Thorogood
Key:G
Played on a Bb

-6 -8 -6 7 -6 -6 -8 -6 7 -6 …

6 -6 -6 -6 -6 -6 7 -6 -8 -6 7
Now on the day I was born,
6 -6 6 -6 -6 -6 7 -6 -8 -6 7
the nurs-es all gath-ered 'round

Draw blow blow blow ect it is very tedious. When you start to learn a new song it just sounds like plain noise.How do you begin to hear it right from the start. It's a Big question I know . Just tired. it took me awhile just to learn Mary had a little lamb continue reading...

David,

I had some trouble with my Rhumba King entries. (Forgot to upload file, then uploaded wrong file.) Can you delete the entries "Jumba Rumba" and "Jumba Rumba (Take 2)"?

"Jumba Rumba - Take 3!" the last one from me is the correct one (don't delete this one).

Thanks - sorry for the confusion.

Steve

In 2nd position, playing in minor, is it ok to slap 6 blow, 3 blow, 4 blow, 4 draw, 5 draw, etc., even though you would be slapping over "no-no" notes? Also, are pulls with 2 blow, 3 draw, 5 blow, etc, in them off limits too?

Hi David,

Chapter 1 to 4: A few corrections, 1 question:

* Ex 3.2 Half Diminished 7th: C should be G (3*)
* Ex 3.7 & 3.9: Question: Should the V be mentioned above bar 12? The exercise is not meant to write a turn-around.
* Section 3 question 2: insert 'chord' into .... for each chord done ....
* Answer Ex 2.6: Fdim should be F#dim
* Answer Ex 3.9 Bar 5: B should be Bb
* Answer Ex 4.3 IV7 chord hole 10: 10+ / 10’’+
* Answer Ex 4.14 V7 chord: add: 10+ C b7th
* Answer Ex 4.18 I7 chord hole 9: F / G
* Answer Ex 4.18 V7 chord hole 10: change order into A / C continue reading...

Hi David,

Can you offer any tips when learning the much intimidating Roller Coaster?

-Taylor

Hi David,
I noticed that on the chart of the A-harp the 7' and 10' overdraws should be A#/Bb in stead of C#
Best regards,
Mathieu.

Hello David,
I have problems playing amplified, espacially if i wan't to play on the high end like the 4-8 octave. When the harmonica is completely in my mouth, how can I manage to hold the harmonica and the mic and cup it?
Hope you could help me with this!