Ask Instructor David Barrett

David, thanks for your recent tips of the day about the 2 draw. I thought that I was committing a great sin by not using the 2 draw much. For the last couple of months I have been doing a lot of resolutions on the 6 blow, all the time wondering if my ear was lying to me or if did work great. Maybe I have a better ear than I thought. I think that a lot of us get so caught up in worrying about perhaps breaking some mysterious "rules of do and don't' that we are reluctant to let the music happen for fear of making a mistake. continue reading...

Hi David,
What is the difference between " Harmonica to use when played in " where the key of the band and the key of the harmonica relate to position in cycles of 4ths, and position playing within the range of a given harmonica where we are moving in cycles of 5ths? How does the movement in 5ths relate to the key the band is playing in?
Thanks

Hi David!!

i have a question about the great George Harmonica Smith!
i'm dig in transcribing , Boogie'n With George ,
he use side pulls? in draw and blow?
i hear clear slaps... slap-pulls ... pulls..
but there are sounds i think it's side-pulls?

thanks

Best Regards

Marko

Just got hold of a 90's fender bassman 59 last week, and would like to set it up just like your one from the Bassman Chronicles.

I've drop it of with the local amp man to work on, who's coming from a guitar side and not overly keen on the 12AU7, but hey I'll paying.

Could you please confirm the tubes from left to right, thank you.

5U4.....5881.....5881.....12AU7.....12AX7.....12AY7

Will be playing with a 1952 shure black CR element as well.

Watching the Bassman chronicles I keep hearing the good advice of getting the amp off the foor - 1 or 2 milk crates what about an amp stand which is only 2-4 inches off the floor but angles the amp so it is facing upward at about a 15 - 30 degree angle? not asking if its better or worse (well, maybe) but more like are there tips or suggestions on best use of an amp stand.

by the way, great videos and info in this series on the Bassman. I also appreciate the reference to other amps so the info can be interpreted in a more generic sense. Thanks

Dear Sir,
Before I say anything I'd like to say what a wonderful site you are running and how much I am learning from it. I am new to the diatonic harp and being from India do not have access to tutors in my city, so all I learn is from books and videos and sites like yours.
Now I went to the recording section og your site and wanted to learn from your video clip on recording with GarageBand. Unfortunately it says the clip is not found. Could you look into the matter?
I would really appreciate it.
Sridhar

When I went back to catch up on Joe Tartaglia, I noticed that you said you didn't put a notation for slaps in the tabs. Since I see them in the tune I'm working on now, I assume you changed your policy since that video was made.

Your explanation to Joe was in line with my normal practice. I'm kind of used to slapping most everything and playing a single note without a slap when it really makes sense. So, my question is this: continue reading...

Hi Dave when I send in a study song Walk with Me. Do I send it with the regular Jam Track or the slow down Jam Track . Have been practicing with the slow down tracks. sounds good. When I practice with the regular Jam track it hard to keep up n know if I am in right place with the music. I notice there a number of beats between the note ( say 3 beats than start on 3+ just an example )

Thanks

Harplayer

While it may have been a long time since you have been in this situation, I'm sure at some point you were there. I will be going to Memphis to compete in the IBC in February and do a showcase for Betsie Brown, the noted publicist. Frankly, I feel like I am stepping in way over my head. While my band has gotten some really good reviews and I have had positive comments from reviewers, I am having a hard time getting a good frame of mind - the one that says "play what you play". Do you have any suggestions for getting the head in the right place and calming the nerves?

Hello David! I saw a post from you a while ago that you had a transcription for william clarkes "blowin the family jewels instrumental." I was wondering if I could see that? Could you please send it to me or post it. There are some parts I simply can't figure out! Thanks!
Andrewbfa0@hotmail.com