Ask Instructor David Barrett

The first study is great so far. I'm just starting to work my way through it. I've tried to sludge my way through some Music Theory for Dummies/Complete Idiot books and yours is way better. Plus it's applicable. I'm not sifting through trying to find relevant material because, well, all your material in the Music Theory Study IS relevant. Just wondering how many more of the Studies you have planned out of curiosity?

As if you didn't have enough projects going on with this site, I have a idea you might consider. Winslow posted a really good response to my Chomatic Air topic. It would cool to have him or someone do some Chromatic Harp tech someday. Perhaps, tightening up the leakiness and disasembly for cleaning, etc. Just an idea :)

-Taylor

I've been trying to figure out the tune 'Back the Same Day' by Dan Kaplan and can't make up my mind whether he's playing pull-slaps or just pulls (ie. playing the melody without slaps, but pulling off to get the chord). Either way, it's a tongue twister to keep going at a steady pace. Could you help me figure out the technique used? The video's here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lusc00mcOP4&feature=relmfu

Will he be learning Chromatic too?

Hi David,

So this week I was asked to sit in on a few songs at a duo's show. They're a guitar/harmonica duo. I was finally playing in public after a long time of not playing, and I felt much more confident playing accompaniment to the acoustic guitar player due to understanding the chorus forms and focus notes from the improv lessons 1&2 that I've reviewed. I also felt like due to practicing my licks, I could pull them up from memory without forcing it...which was a great feeling...to trust there will be something coming out of that 4 draw or 6 blow when I need it. continue reading...

Dave, I have followed you and Joe Tartaglia, up to the point here he decided to move on, to different projects. You have passed the lessons over to Ryan Walker.. Im looking forward to going through the lessons with you and Ryan. I plan on going through each lesson, on the site, starting with Tremolo review all the way up to the most current leson. Alot of my submissions were examples that I still have trouble playing, I would like to follow Ryan, picking up tips from you, along the way. continue reading...

Wondering if you have the Duke Ellington song " In a sentimental mood " tabbed in sheet music ? I can't seem to find it for diatonic. I've heard some nice versions and would like to start learning it. Beautiful song.

Hi Dave,

I just bought my Super Chromonica 270 Deluxe a few months ago. I haven't even played it hard or very much and the 5 blow sharp is not longer working normally. I know the reed can't be blown out because when I make my embouchure super small (a la overblowing on diatonic), it works fine. The tiniest embouchure possible is the only way I'm able to get any sound out of it. Any ideas what might be wrong? I hate to spend $60 on a service charge for a harmonica I didn't buy too long ago if it's something easy to fix.

-Taylor

When you are practicing slaps, is it better to get to where you can play the lick reasonably well without slaps, and then add the slaps, or should I be practicing it all along with the slaps, even if I am stumbling over some of it?

David...What does it take to get the transcription of this??