Ask Instructor David Barrett

How's about a James Harman interview (if ya ever get the chance)?!? He's one of my favorite players and songwriters!

David,

I tried three times (on Saturday morning) to upload my Assignment 3 (Songwriting Assignment) from Improvising Study 1, Section 7, but I kept getting an error message saying:

* The uploaded file was unable to be saved. The destination directory may not be writable.
* Recording field is required.

Jim Lucas

Just got off the plane this morning from another overseas trip. Haven't been on Bluesharmonica.com for a few weeks :o(

...But just before I crawl into bed this morning, I opened Outlook. What did I find?

The new David Barrett Rock Harmonica Book is out in print!!! WooHoo! My $19.99 is on the way!

NICE! Can't wait to see it!

in the videos you say to use a bflat harp but the harp layout shows a c so did i miss some thing or am i supposed to be using a c harp

Dear Mr. Barrett, is there a way to get hold of the past newsletters?

david, when are where can we get one those cool school of the blues shirts.

I've just started working on Solo Harp #1. I got to example 1.10 (the James Cotton lick), and have a question. I've been tongue blocking on the entire harp. When I get down to the 1st hole, I tongue switch (switch my tongue to the right side of my mouth to hit the 1 hole). It seems a little hard to hit the 1st hole (tongue switched) and then hit the 2nd hole right away. I was wondering how you go about doing this? Hope my question makes sense! Also, are you sliding for the 2+ 3+ 2+ like Ex. 1.5?
Thanks,
-Ryan

Hi David,

I was starting a boogie rhythm with a slap on the 2 draw and then moving to the 3 draw, 4draw, etc.
It sounded different then other boogie rhythms that had more of a "ta" stacutto articuation.

So I figured out that they were starting with a 2 draw pull to a single note instead of a slap.

I am not sure if I missed it or not but did you have a lesson where you started for example with your tongue over the 1 and 2 hole and with a "ta" sounded the 2 draw and right back down to get ready for the 1,2 pull and then repeat on the 3 and 4 draw? continue reading...

Hi David, I did'nt go through all the topics, but my question is how can you bend a note and tongblock at the same time? I pucker and can bend all notes up to 6/7 well but don't understand how to bend while tongblocking.

Thanks
menno

Hi David. It's been pointed out to me that I take my lips off the harmonica more than necessary. I've watched myself in the mirror and it seems that I'm unconciously taking my lips off the harp as my lips become too dry to easily move side to side (which is all the time), and when I'm wanting extra accent on slaps. Also, sometimes I just want a breath. What are your thoughts on this?
Thanks
Greenshoes