Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David, continue reading...

Hi, I joined last weekend and am really enjoying the site. I started on harp at the beginning of January just as a fun hobby... something different to learn… and I got hooked. Aside from a handful of keyboard lessons when I was 14 I never learned any instrument, although I have always loved music and listen to a ton of it. I am mainly a rocker girl, but I also like blues and have been discovering a lot more of it since taking up this new hobby. Funny, I am noticing that many of my all-time favorite songs have harmonica in them and I never realized it before. continue reading...

Hi David,

Currently I find the Special 20 and Lee Oskar harmonicas more comfortable while I am learning tonguing. I also have a Manji and Suzuki Pro master and I find the protruding reed plates uncomfortable, especially when the harmonica is tilted downward. I would like to try the crossover but I believe the reed plates also protrude. Is there an advantage having the reed plates protruding?
Thanks,
Art

Recently purchased the Mel Bay book, "Exploring 3rd Position", Level 2 and have a couple questions...

a) I am playing a Marine Band Deluxe and the upper octave, holes 7-10 are quite un-responsive; mostly the draw holes..Is there a portion of my technique that is lacking; I am tongue blocking, or, is there a reed adjustment problem that I may address?

b) Understanding Position Lesson.....Gary Primach Interview ...Gary had played an example illustrating the tonic change from 1 draw (1 chord), 2 draw (4 chord), 4 draw (5 chord) ..........What cut is that? Thanks

Hi Dave,

Question: Would a lesson on articulation help students learn more quickly to "play for success"?
Thanks,
gcon

Dave, I am starting take it easy now. I have sent you a submission, of that song. I started out with joe tartaglia, am i switching over to ryan walker? I still have quite a bit of work to do with this tune, just wanted to make sure (joe has said goodbye) now ryan is takeing his spot. thanks dan

I just started to seriously tongue block about 3 months ago. Until then i had been Lip blocking for about 14 years. I have noticed that on the A harp the tongue blocked 2 draw sounds weak. I can get the not pretty well lip blocking. I also notices that the note is a little flat according to the Trusty Bend-o-meter. I have tried several harps so i am pretty sure that it is me and not the harp. I remember that when i first started that the C would give me a little trouble. I try to relax my jaw but I am still having trouble. Any words of wisdom?

I am trying to figure out the harp key for "the fever" ala Southside Johnny. The song itself is in Em but a D major harp just does not sound right in third position, close but not quite. The A major actually sounds closest to the correct harp key. Can you answer the question of what the actual key is on this song? I need to learn this part PDQ to play a gig in a week! Thanks for your help. BTW, I still love the site, its good to be back!

Hi David,

I had the privilege of a 30 minute skype session with Steve Baker last night. Where he instructed me on how a jutted jaw approach to placing the harp helps tone.

I was amazed at the quality of such a simple suggestion. I wanted to ask you if you offer such sessions. Especially because if I were to take one of your lessons and played it out you may visually be able to say what I am doing wrong. continue reading...

Hi David,

Just a quick question:
Do we expend more breath when we tongue block?
Because I seem to be able to hold the note longer when I pucker.

Regards
Sridhar