Ask Instructor David Barrett

ive been listening to johnny winters the woodstock experience cd and know big walter plays the harp on mean mistreater but was wondering who plays on the rest of the album or is it various harp players like back door friend

David, you have proven yourself to have a bionic ear when it comes to figuring out what people are playing in songs and being able to transcribe it. So, before you turn this power to evil, might I suggest you use it for the forces of good with a new regular topic:

"How'd dey do dat?"

For starters, can you explain how Alan "Blind Owl" Wilson of Canned Heat was able to perform his solos in "On the Road Again" on an "A" harp? Try it. It doesn't quite work. continue reading...

David,
Wondering how much time you think is needed to learn each series well. I am still on the Beginning Series and am in no rush but dont want to fall too far behind. On the other hand once out of the series I dont think I would return so I dont want to move on until I am very comfortable.
I listen to your lessons sometimes over and over and I often learn something I did not even hear or understand the first time.
Your choice of lesson material, mix, and change of keys is excellent. continue reading...

David,
What do you think is best for our lessons....equal or just tunings?
My new Suzuki is Just tuned and the 5 draw is quite flat as is the 9 draw.....on a 4/5 trill...it does not sound as good....or maybe I am not used to it.
I read Just was better for playing Blues.
Comments?
Thank you..
Steve

This is the one I've been waiting for!

I just finished watching your great interview with Rod. I don't think I've actually seen an interview with him ever, and you really got a lot out of him. continue reading...

Not MY divorce. A good friend and former bandmate is going through a divorce and he is giving me his 1952 wide panel Fender Tweed DeLuxe Reverb and his 1961 Fender Pro (I think he didn't want his wife getting them). They are both in pretty good shape. He had a hand injury a few years ago and doesn't play any more, so he has no need for them. I'm driving up to New Hampshire this next weekend to pick them up, along with some other interesting stuff. continue reading...

David,

I figured with your knowledge of blues harp players you may be the guy to answer this for me.

One of my favorite blues men was Willie Foster from Leland Mississippi. But I've also heard of another harp player by the name of Little Willie Foster, can you tell me if this is the same person or different and anything I can listen too by Little WF.

This is like a love - hate relationship - man, I love it (when you play it) but oh my, working at it is something else. There is so much in this one!!

6th chorus, when we go to the iv chord, it is a switch to a 9-6 split (from the 9-5 in bar 5)?? Why is the 9-5 split in the first bar of the iv chord not also a 9-6?? Just trying to understand chord structures. In the video, you comment on the 9-5 in the 2nd bar and say it can be played also as a 9-6 for more dissonance. So does this imply its optional??

Hi David. I've got one of those low C Steve Baker Specials, and I was wondering if you are planning any lessons using that little tone monster? I love the sound of it but so far my imagination hasn't taken me very far with it.

David - I've searched all over because I think somewhere there is information on the different grooves (maybe at Masterclass sessions???) Some are obvious (rhumba, shuffle) but I'm trying to sort out in my mind some of the others. Can you point me in the right direction - one of your books??? Thanks