Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David,

Any specific tips on softening ones tremelo? When I cough inwards on the tremelos it sound particularly harsh compared to you.

-Taylor

Hey David, sorry to bother you again i'm doing the study you recommended Take it easy now but there is a sound you make that i here a lot in more advanced players. You do it in the song 2nd Chorus between 2nd and 4th measure between the 6+ and the 5 draw it almost sounds like a small breath, can you please tell me what that sound is it's pretty cool sounding.

Hello David,
I have been trying to transcribe Slim Harpo's "We're two of a kind" and I've got something, Could you please have a look and correct it if necessary (wrong / missing or extra notes) .... I love this solo that he does and would appreciate it very much if you could give your input especially with the technical aspect... Slaps, octave's etc. I hope its not too much i'm asking......
Thanks in advance. Here is what I have so far.......

6+ 6+ 5 4 6+ (Slap first 6+ and last 6+)

6+ 5 4 4+ 4 3 2 (slap first 6+ and dip on the 3 draw) continue reading...

Hi David,

At the beginning of the 3rd Chorus on Gary's Blues are you slapping into the bend on the very first note? I've slowed it way down and I can't quite tell.

-Taylor

Hello David,
I work on an offshore oil rig and cannot practice much and also its impossible for me to try and learn anything new...Its when i'm at home that I can learn new lessons etc... Please tell me what would be the thing to practice to stay on top of what I learnt and not slip back every time i'm away on the rig? if that is possible!!
In other words what exercises would you suggest I practice as I can only practice for about 20 minutes approximately everyday even with that sometimes I may skip a day or two in between.

Hi David. I just bought a older Shure 545S on ebay and it is on the way. I didn't do a lot of research before pulling the trigger and bought it on a whim. Looks like I need to buy a 4 pin cord in order for it to work? Do you have any suggestions where I might find one (other than the bay)? This is a low impedance mic, can it be rewired for high impedance? Or do I have to use my low to high adaptor? My low to high adaptor has 3 pin to 1/4" jack, will that work with the 4 pin cable? Thanks for your help.

Hi David,
Quick question: Where in my intermediate studies would be appropriate to fit in the Rice Miller Study?
-Taylor

I am in love with your site awesome work David. But i'm new to the site and i find myself jumping all over the place. So i decided to start with Blues for Big Nate. i really like that slow blues and i find it has a lot of little useful licks contained in it. i looked at the beginning material and found it a little easy, i am a beginner but i practice a lot of hours a day. I spend many hours in my car driving and practicing. Anyway i want to jump into some of the improvising stuff i looked at it briefly but i don't have a Bb harp yet own about 8 that isn't one will soon. continue reading...

G'day David,
i am stuck in mid stride with the The Strut. Actually 2 places...just 2 notes. its definitely my technique but i cant quite work out what i am doing. its been going on for months. i can play the whole song at full speed and pretty comfortable...except for these 2 notes continue reading...

So I finally found a local harp master, a great guy and a good friend. So now what do I do? He is a great player and happy to help me, but he is not really a teacher, so I don't know where to go next. Sit down and do some call and response to pick up a few licks? Pick a song and work it out from start to finish? I am trying to just figure out the best use of our time together, which is limited. continue reading...