Ask Instructor David Barrett

Dear Mr. Barrett,

from which song is the turnaround-lick #15 in the turnaround studies from?

thanks.

Where should I be in my Blues Harmonica studies before purchasing and diving into your Rock Harmonica book?
-Taylor

Watching videos of harpists with amazing tone like Big Walter Horton, James Cotton or Rick Estrin, it seems that their embouchure is not very deep. In fact Estrin takes the harmonica in a way that his index finger is just in the middle of the harmonica plate leaving a little space for the lips.
What is the correct tongue blocking embouchure depth?

Hey David,

Ive just signed up to your excellent site and have started to go through the tongue blocking lessons.

What I'm finding is that when tongue blocking the corners of my mouth rub against the harmonica which leaves them feeling quite sore.

I've tried lubricating the harp with my spit as you demonstrate, however this only keeps the harp wet for a couple of bars, and then it feels as though my lips gets stuck to the harp and get rubbed raw.. continue reading...

Dear David,

I read that the SK judging has been completed but I could not find your comment on my piece.
BTW I'm more than glad that I've entered the contest, it's been a great experience.
Some fine instrumental were submitted by players with different experience levels, proving that any player can come up with a great hook, groove or phrase.

All the best,
Steven Troch

Hi David,

I've been practicing my bends with a Lee Oskar. I asked him at his show on Friday and it confirmed my suspicions that his harps are equal tempered. That's been ok lately. I can more easily see if I'm bending to the the right tune on my chromatic tuner (I try to slowly bend down to and hold the bend in the green as long as possible).

I've noticed that when I put the tuner to the speaker to the songs you're playing (in this case Feelin' For the Blues) it's a little different. I'm guessing you are using a harmonica that is not equal tempered and probably just compromised. continue reading...

David, Lately you've been encouraging me to relax everything but my tongue, but for tone, I also recall you pointing out the the tongue is down in back and open. You don't stretch it so far that you feel the top of your throat stretching do you (around your tonsils, like you have one of those "say Ah" sticks at the doctors)...or do you? So not the throat, just the tongue? Thanks for any more clues.

When playing a cut, do you always bend the note down as far as it will go?

Dave, Can I take any lick I want, or should I use the 7.1 sample lick? The 3''' is a hard note for me to reach.

Dave, when I am doing my final homework for IMPROVISING STUDY 1, can I use any 2 lick I want or should I use example 7.1 as my lick? Thanks Dan