Ask Instructor David Barrett

How come there aren't any chorusforms-studies featured in the chromatic studies for lesson four and five?
Are there going to be more lessons on the chromatic? I hope so.

Hi Dave.

I received your book about improvising a week ago and I need your nice help in order to clarify some questions.

It is supposed that knowing the chords and the notes who composed them you'll be always in the right place, but Where we left the blues scale here?

Playing by the chords mean in some cases that you're playing notes out from the blues scale,then Why I want this scale?

Is there an easy way to memorize all this stuff? Sometimes is overwhelming. continue reading...

Hi David,

I've been working on the Steve Guyger Artist Study alongside the Jerry Portnoy Study. I'm really digging Snake Oil. You mentioned in the Minor Playing Lesson that classic harmonica players didn't typically play in Minor keys. I'm assuming in recent years more and more modern players have done so. I'm still trying to train my ear to the difference between Major and Minor. Besides The Work Song and Snake Oil, are there some other 2nd position harmonica songs in a Minor key that you would recommend listening too?

-Taylor

Hi David,

I might be premature by asking as the lessons on" Theory and Quality of the notes" which you mentioned will be coming might answer my question.

When Jamming and someone says Shuffle in the key of G...I assume that means G major. At this point if the band is playing blues you would just improvise using the notes of blues scale? Would that also mean we would never want to play the 3 draw (unbent)? Would the other band members ever play a B? which is the 3rd of the G major and not the flat third or blue 3rd? continue reading...

ok i hate to ask this but is there a way you can take some of the interview series and put them into mp3s im a big fan of lick vocabulary and practice tips and any thing else to make it more fun instead of like work the reason i ask is after watching the buddy greene interview i thought man it would be nice if these were available on mp3s it would be easier to rewind to listen over and over to get some of the warm up stuff he was talking about and to even slow some of the fast stuff down if needed im a huge fan of buddys and was glad you interviewed him heck hes the reason i play saw him live continue reading...

Hi Dave,

Is it just me or does it seem like Jerry Portnoy is a little late on his timing in this song? Being one of the greats, I can't imagine this is by mistake. It's really throwing me off though and making me dig my heels in deep. Is this purposeful?

-Taylor

Hello David,

Not quite sure if this question applies to people on this site, but it may in some general ways (getting ready for a jam and accompaniment). I'm ready as I can for tomorrow's student concert, but it's the jam on Sunday I'm more concerned about. continue reading...

Dave, I have just finished Improvising study 2, Focus notes, texiures, and rhythm. I have sent you my first version of a song that I put together. Im not quite sure what lesson I should get into now. What would you suggest?

Hi David,

On The homework for section 5 of Improvising Lesson 1 it says to reference Blues Music Theory lessons on the site to complete the homework. I looked over the lesson list several times. Where do I find this?

Taylor

Quick question about speed licks on Rock Harmonica. Is puckering or tongue blocking preferred on ultra fast playing?
-Taylor