Ask Instructor David Barrett

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?

Hi David,

I was watching the video and was wondering at what skill level would you have to be to play as you did in the video?
Also, I would love to see you do videos breaking down what you were playing. I assume it is all improvsed?

Regards,
528hemi

I've just bought your Improvising Blues Harmonica book (VERY useful - it's making me go back over the study songs I've learnt and apply the chorus forms in more depth) and am working through the first exercises on creating and transcribing question/answer licks and statements. One of the songs I thought I'd try and transcribe the I chord licks from is Little Walter's 'Off The Wall'. A couple of questions about that:

First, is the opening lick (repeated twice over the I chord) an example of a statement or would you call it a question that's answered by the IV chord lick? continue reading...

Hi David,
on the 3rd chorus starting with the 2...2 draws....TB them or articulate with Gs in a pucker?
also in the IV chord...after the 2...3 blow slaps.....starts with the 12 pull....then what to do on the remaining notes....
TB or pucker ... esp on the 2 draw and then the 3 4+ 3 triplet...

Thank you!

Hi David!!!

I have a question about the interview with Rick Estrin in the section " Tongue Blocking ",
at 00:21 you play a lick of Sonny Boy Williamson II and talking about chording and articulation,
in that lick you do "Slaps Pulls" ? or do articulation like "T" or "K"?
I'd like to learn the sound of Sonny Boy and in this lick there is the essence :)

thanks for what you teach through this fantastic site!!!

Best Regards

Marko

David,
Mark Hummel mentioned in his interview that his playing improved when (in my words here) he realized that the notes available for playing in the various positions actually overlapped. Is this basically the same thing you are referring to in your theory section when you discuss the level of tones? I want to understand what he meant, but have very limited theory background to approach it. continue reading...

I've watched the videos over and over... I feel like I'm doing the things you are teaching but my flutter sounds different than yours.

I would describe yours as a mellow undulating pattern of single note and chord... mine is a much less subtle slap like shift between the single note and chord.

This is the first technique I've hit that has stumped me... if I could even accidentally reproduce the right sound I think I might be able to figure it out, but so far no luck.

Any advice?