Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David

Do you know which day/ days you will be at the NHL weekend festival? I can't afford the whole weekend but might try and get down there for a day.

Thanks, Rob

David,

When playing a rhythm on the 1 and 2 holes only say:

2 draw ( slap ) then pull (1 2 pull chord ) to a 2 blow (slap) then (1 2 blow pull) then to a 1 draw, what would you do for the syncopated beat since there are no lower notes then the 1? Would you just play the 1 twice doing a singel note pull or would you throw in the 2 ( for a 1 2 chord ) for the 2nd beat?

12 bar mephis rhythum

rhythum would be like: da da da da da da da da
2 draw 2 blow 1 draw 2 blow continue reading...

Hey, David, do you offer the following transcriptions anywhere?

Little Walter:
Quarter to Twelve
Mellow Down Easy
My Babe
You Better Watch Yourself

After many hours of arching and moving my tongue to different positions in my mouth without bending a note, I finally was able to lower the 6th hole a 1/2 step, the 2nd and 3rd holes a 1/2 step and a whole step each. I thought I was arching my tongue at first, but now I realize that I'm flattening my tongue somewhat and doing something with my throat to get the desired bends. Is that an ok technique or have I taken a road that will cause problems.

Greenshoes

David,

I am practicing with my tuner and just realized that my 3 and 4 blow can be some time be sharp in pitch and I can adjust my umberture to bring it to zero, kind of bending. I did not know you could bend blow note on the low end of the harp some what? Is it normal to have some notes sharp up to +15 with a normal blow?

Thanks 528hemi

Dear David,

I am a beginner. May I know which video is demonstrating how to play a single note for very very beginner.
I heard my sound was unclear when I played blowing the second hole. The sound like playing a chord. I've tried using my fingers to close up all the other holes but the result were same. I am using the Hohner Marine Band Deluxe. Am I doing right or wrong???

Best regards,
Ian

In your recent tip of the day you mentioned the side-pull. I understand what you have written down, but I have no idea what it should sound like. Any soundbite, please?

What is a quick way to identify the key of a tune, without asking?

From my post in the sharing section:

"(1) In setting the high-mids and highs up, do I also lower the low tones or leave them at the 'flat' level??

(2) So by working on getting a tight cup on the mic, I'm creating an undesirable muddy tone - ???? Is this just on this kind of situation or ..........??" continue reading...

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...