Ask Instructor David Barrett

Oh man, this new contest served to remind me how far behind I am with my lessons. I haven't picked up a harp in at least two months now. Lately, I've got to look at my schedule book just to know what freakin' country I'm waking up in. I'm keeping my subscription going because I really want to support the site, even if I can't use it right now, but seeing all the "Tip of the Day"s, the new King of Chug contest, the interview with Dale Laslie, and all of the artist submissions, I've got to get back on the stick!

This week I'm staying home for once. Time to dust of the Seydels...

David,
Up to this point I have not learned to count out rhythm... and have got away with it for the most part.:)
Now on Garys Blues...3rd Chorus there are 3 long held notes..I, IV and V chords..later to repeat...
in 5th Chorus..first measure and V chord..
try as i might......no way can i get it right....without knowing the count...and learning to use it.
otherwise I come in too early or too late and I blow the rest of the song...i will be off the beat.
I might have to stop and start all over from the begining...Lesson 1
any suggestions......
Thank you!
Steve

Hello David, This is a great site. I've played for 5 years now but with very little tongue blocking as i learned as a puckerer. Thanks to the structure of this site i now feel like there is some direction on where and what to start with. Do you personally tongue switch and do you recomend students to tongue switch on the study songs whenever we are at 1 or 2 hole blow or draw? thanks!

I'm new to the sight so bear with me. When I submit a song for review i don't think it is going through because it is much larger than 8mg. Is there a way to condense it? Or should i not be sending in a full study song? Thank you.

Hi David!!!

Your licks Vocabulary that uses in improvisation,
have written them down over time for remember them,
or have them in memory and come out during your performances? for example a lick you learned years ago,
come out spontaneous without having rehearsed it?

Thanks

Best Regards

Marko

Does the order in which we work on the study songs matter? I mean, I'm working through the tongue-blocking and bending lessons in sequence, but I'd like to try out some of the other positions as well. I'm feeling drawn towards 1st position after hearing some great SPAH footage of RJ Mischo playing Crawling King Snake! - but is it important to get a grasp of third position first?

Hi David,

I just recently purchased the History of the Blues Harmonica album ( I know...what took me so long right?) and I have to say it is a fantastic listen. As I write this I have Walter's Boogie playing in the background.

As far as I know (I maybe incorrect) Junior Wells was predominantly a lip purser when he played, except for octave splitting and so forth, but when you played Chitlin Con Carne on the album did you tongue block or lip purse? My guess is tongue block, but either way it sounds wonderful! :) Just curious.

Thanks

I don't think I've ever really understood the pull technique on blow notes. For example, leading into and the 4th chorus of Gary's Blues. The (3+2+1+ pull) __ (3+)__ (3+2+1+ pull) combination.

On a draw pull the tongue covers the holes and pulls off sounding the chord. On a blow pull is a chord sounded and then quickly cut-off by the tongue landing and covering all holes of the chord?

Thanks in advance, Pete

Great start on the minor playing lesson David. For the first time, I understood the difference between playing blues scale in third position and playing a minor key tune in third. Maybe I was finally ready to hear the info but it was a real "lights went on" moment. Now to remember the right breathing patterns and avoid those 3 and 7 draw notes:-(

As always, thanks

Should I be looking to slap as many notes as possible in this song?