Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David,

I can't get the video "How to Practice a Lick - Part 1" from Joe's lesson 26. All the others work well but this one gives a blank screen.

Best,

Eddy

Hi David,

I have a few questions on keys. First of all, how do you determine what key a song is in when you hear it? Is this something that just comes eventually with experience? Is there anything one could do to jump start this process? I know that there is a listing on your harmonicamasterclass website but I was wondering if you had any tips for how to determine what keys songs are in or exercises to develop the skill. There are some non-harmonica songs that I'd like to jam along with eventually. continue reading...

Are there any warm up exercises that you would recommend doing at the start of a practice session?

Or do you think its best to just jump straight into the music?

Thanks - I'm trying to get a bit more structured with my practice sessions and am a little unsure how to work them.

Hi David,

When bending with compromised tuning, do you bend down relative to the unbent pitch or do you bend down to the exact pitch?

For example, the 4 draw on a MB/S20 is +10 cents. On a MB/S20 C harmonica in proper factory tune, while practicing your 4 draw bend with a tuner, would you bend down to a Db +10 cents or just a Db 0 cents?

-Taylor

Hello Dave, I like Slim Harpo's style of playing and I feel its within my reach to learn... do you think its good for me to try to learn a few of his songs at this stage of my skill level? do you recommend that?
Regards,
Preston

Hi David,

I know how to bend using the pucker method and am now starting to learn how to tongue block bend which is something i never knew to be possible until I started the lessons on your site.

My question is: when I practice the tongue block bend is it normal to feel the air flow through almost totaly on the right side of my mouth to the point where I feel my lower back teeth getting cold? should i be striving to get the air to flow more through the middle of my throat?

Thanks.

Mike

David,

I've been going through the Groove Training to kind of get a first run through on it before coming back to it later when I'm there in my studies.

It was very eye opening for me. I've always been a huge fan of Kimbrough, JLH, Diddley, etc. I really dig the trance-like quality to it. If you don't mind, I was wondering if you could recommend a handful of harp players and/or songs that utilize the Modal & Diddley Beat.

-Taylor

Hi David,

Most of my bending has been coming along slowly but surely. However, I came to another wall trying to bend the 3 draw a whole step (to a B) on the D harmonica. I reviewed the FAQ and bending videos but am still having difficulty.

You gave me quick fix last month with the A harp 3 draw half step bend, I was wondering if you had any juicy tidbits for my current dilemma, that being the D harp, 3 draw whole step bend. I can get the C and Bb but it's skipping the B.

-Taylor

Where on the site can we go to listen to the winning tracks?
-Taylor

Dave, the penny has dropped on how I should block the holes to work my way up a simple C scale. Yet I tried to do a simple song which combined blowing & drawing. I am finding it difficult to draw while tongue blocking. Thanks again ron0