Ask Instructor David Barrett

David,
I think in one of the Joe Filisco interviews you asked him how he got achieved great intonation..and he said he overcame the "gag reflex"...and something about how you have to form just the right throat shape to get the best tone for each note.....all bends and natural.
I just read the first few pages of Steve Baker's .. Blues Harmonica Playalongs..Vol 1..and in the first example he plays a 4 draw, 3 draw,4 blow , 3 draw, and then 2 ..2 draws. continue reading...

Hi David and thanks again for the review of my first submission - Temperature. continue reading...

Mr. Barrett,

finally I got to bend some reeds tongueblocked. I started out as a pucker and with that I could bend all reeds right on the money to all pitches I wanted. Right now I managed to bend the three draw to all seperate notes. I can seem to bend the 4 draw and the 6 draw but not as hard enough to get them all the way down. It seems the 3 and 2 draw reed are easier to bend tongueblocked then the 4 and 6 draw. I find it also easier to bend on the g and a harp. Is this all common or am I using too much force? continue reading...

David, Kinya made a point in one of his recent thread responses about "watching over the shoulder of a master" when it came to harp customization. With all of the recent thread traffic on this topic, maybe it would be a good idea to entice Kinya to do a series of videos on this topic.

What say you?

Is your Temperature amplified with a full cup on mic?
and Rhumba...amplified do you play fully cupped or open on mic?

Would the capabilities of Amazing Slow Downer serve me well enough for managing and creating MP-3s for lesson submissions, or do I really need to also have a program such as Cakewalk as well? Thanks

I started on the "Strut" lesson in the intermediate section. That "D" harp makes me feel like I'm starting to learn from the beginning all over again.

Where'd my superior bending (in my own mind) power go?

...touchy...touchy

David,
I dont mean tp be pedantic today but i just found Christelle Berthon today.....she practises 8 hrs a day....
I believe this is her playing....wow..she sounds better than Sonny himself.....
are we ever going to study this song?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mv1DrICe8SM

David,
Listening to my latest submission I was dismayed by how poor my rythym was...I find it very difficult to count 1-2-3-4..while trying to learn where the notes are and keep up with the sound trac.

are you going to have any lessons on this later?
Thank you...

Mr. Barrett,

on the solo harmonica piece 1.6 you mentioned William Clarke used that turnaround lick often. I can't seem to find a recording or song off him doing that. Could you please point out a specific song?

I'd appreciate it, thank you very much for you great lessons!