Ask Instructor David Barrett

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

Hi Dave,
I have been considering a smaller amp to take places where I don't want to haul my full size amp. I know/think you use a "fender silverface champ?" On ebay I see a "Vibro Champ, a Princeton, and then a regular "champ."
Are these all pretty similar for harp use?
Also, when Gary Smith brings his smaller amp to your studio, is it just a regular "fender pro junior." Not saying "just" as inferior, I am implying that it is not a vintage or rare amp.
Thanks,
Nick

David,

I almost need to have my own question of the day question. I think this is the last one for a bit though.

I'm having no problem creating the WaWa acoustically but when I use the mic I can barely get it at all. Should I be doing a WaWa articulation as well or just holding the note and doing it with my hands? I'm using a brown biscuit, Lee Oskar, my thumb is covering the 9 and 10 and my cheek the rest, I'm covering the sides as well, and I think my seal is tight. So tight my hands almost hurt holding the mic. I've also watched the video on the WaWa several times.

Any ideas? continue reading...

David,

Sorry, I know all these questions are keeping you busy. I have yet another one though. I'm experiencing a bit of confusing determining what a dip is.

When you describe dips for "Feelin' for the Blues" during the lesson and with Joe it seems like a dip is a regular note then bent a half step and then brought up again.

With the KeeAww articulation you suggest, most of the notes get bent slightly but don't go down quite a half step (for me at least). continue reading...

David,

OK. I'm getting the 3 draw down to a half step with relative consistency but am now having the opposite problem with 2 draw. I can get it down a half step but having a tough time getting it to budge any lower. Any magic tips for that one?

-Taylor

Don't keep us us in suspense - how did the Second Degree Black Belt test go. I've been thinking good thoughts knowing how well you prepared. - so ????

I've almost solved my problems with draws but then a new fight begins.
When I play several consecutives draw notes I begin to struggle.
Have I to bite the notes (note by note) or just let the inhaling air play them?