Ask Instructor David Barrett

Dave, how much do you know about the Avid/DigiDesign stuff?

In particular, does the M-Audio hardware work with Pro Tools LE, or do you need the DigiDesign Mbox hardware for that?

If making an investment, do you have to pick one up front (Pro Tools LE/Mbox or M-Powered/M-Audio), or can you mix and match?

Trying to find this info on their website is like putting a twist drill through my forehead.

Hi David,
In listening to the practise songs it seems that you keep the rate of speed from one note to the other at a constant rate...and increase then decrease volume.
What about increasing the rate of speed and volume and then decreasing same .... or is it better sounding to keep it at a constant?
Steve

I think the Chorus Forms idea at the end of each lesson is a brilliant concept - really helps with improvising. I just bought Blues Harmonica Jam Tracks and Soling Concepts #3 (can't find the others in the UK yet) to be able to work on this further. Couple of questions about hooks and heads: continue reading...

I enjoyed you new video on Garageband. I have been using it, just as you described. I would like to go up a level in sound quality and would like your advice on using a digital interface (such as M-Audio makes) to plug my bass guitar or harp into.

Does this work well? Do you hear the harp play thru headphones that are plugged into the interface? What model of interface would you recommend?

Thank you,
Al

David,
In solo studies 1 or in general do you Tb the wood when drawing or blowing a 123 chord or TB the 1 when chording the 234 or do you just have your mouth
over 3 notes with no tongue?

Thanks 528hemi

Dave,
I am having problems with the tongue blocking on the 1 and 2 position of the song walk with me. It feels like
I run out of room on the left and I dont get clear notes, My tongue blocking works ok for a beginner mainly from 3 on up
Al

David,
Did i miss something? I reread and found key of D mentioned...which one? D is nice and easy.
Steve

Bars 8 and 9 of the third chorus when tounge switching between the 8 and 4 draw do I stay with a five hole octave embochure or use four hole embochure which seems to set you up for the the run starting on 7 blow?

Dave, okay I know the name of this site is Bluesharmonica.com, and I'm enjoying learning blues harmonica technique, but I'm still finding myself drawn toward the scary younger sister of Blues - Rock.

The music structure is basically the same, but the phrasing is very different - and much more varied - than Blues. While most rock harp playing I've heard certainly has it's roots in Blues method, it's not quite the same. continue reading...

Dave, I'm moving now into the intermediate study (this is getting exciting!), and I have a couple of questions about pulls.

Let's say there is a pull that has an emphasis on the four draw. Do I slap to the 1 through 3 holes - leaving the 4 draw open - then pull? Or, do I slap to the 1 through 3 holes - leaving the 4 draw open - the quickly slide my tongue over the 4 hole as well, and then pull? Does it matter?

I want to get this right out of the chute.