Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David,
This is just a line to thank you for the interviews with Charlie and Billy Boy. These guys are the essence of what Chicago Blues has been for me. I go back to the mid 60's. The interviews were so rich in story and the dynamic of oral history.
I have re-watched both so much my wife is threatening mutiny! LOL

Thanks David

Hi!

In the video with Ryan Walker - Lesson 2 - How to play Take It Easy Now with a Band, Part 3 - you mention about the School of the Blues Jam Sessions.

Can subscribers of bluesharmonica.com join as well ?

thanks!
M

Hi David,

Aside from the Artist Study on Little Walter, what would be some good first Little Walter songs to start off learning for someone looking to dive into deep study of his music? I know nearly all of his stuff is pretty advanced but it seems like some songs are more complicated than others.

-Taylor

I am having a heck of a time with the trill in the 6th chorus of Walk with Me. I have no trouble with the speed lick leading it into it, but I just can't seem to make that trill sound nice and not choppy. Any tips?

I am a beginner and just received my new Crossover Harmonica. I noticed that I could not draw a note on the five hole. Thinking it might be me, I blocked the 4 and 6 hole with my fingers and I cannot get a sound when I draw. Is this a defective harmonica? Is there anything I can do to fix the harmonica? Thanks.

Gordon

......David...Recently purchased this Mel Bay Book and am having problems trying to make a study plan that is beneficial to my improvising goals. Any suggestions at creating study with the Major Pentatonic Scales?

Hi David,

I have a bit of songs under my belt now and I would like to start memorizing some of them. Do you have any methodology to go about memorizing a song?

Thank you,
Taylor

Is it just me or does the Chromatic take a lot more air? Maybe I'm just new and not used to it yet but I find myself gasping a lot.
-Taylor

Dave, I have submitted the rhumba rhythum to you (solo Harp 2), example 2.3. It needs work. My question is, if I have my metronome set on 100 BPM, and Im listening for 4 clicks per measure, should I play 3+ slap for the first click, rest for the second click, 3 pull for my 3rd click and 4 for my fourth click? I hope Im not makeng this harder than it really is, but Im haveing trouble keeping in time. continue reading...

I was so happy to read your tip of the day today that memorizing whole songs is not so important. And just yesterday I was able to play Chorus 1-5 of Walk with Me entirely from memory. Ha!

While I am working through Walk with Me and Solo Study 1, what are some other things I could work on if I have extra practice time? I have been going back to some of the simple 1st position songs I learned with lip blocking and practicing them using TB'ing. Any other suggestions for keeping it interesting?