Ask Instructor David Barrett

Bar 4; 1st chorus - couldn't figure out why what I played and what I heard were different (not unusual) but think that the second note in the 2-3-2-2+ riff is actually 3" and not 3. Is it my ears or does it matter?? Man that is some big, deep tone on the recording!!!!!

OK listened a couple (actually lots) more times and on the lesson, it's definitely 2-3-2-2+ but on the MP3 file, I'm sure hearing 3" - am I too fussy?? or just play it as written??

Hi David...I'm just starting to use a bullet mic and I'm noticing that I can see a small triangle of light, right below the mic, at the far end of my cup....It's where the lower fleshy part of my palms come together....Is this acceptable when trying to get a tight seal? Thank you...

3rd position study 4 requires an Ab harp - not something I had in my arsenal. I do have one now (and you are right; Jon does a great job!!). Now I'm wondering if there are any other keys that we would need other than the standard/basic seven (A,Bb,C,D,Eb,F,G)?? Thanks

David,
I carefully followed your breakdown on a 3 draw dip in Temperature. You said it should be SLIGHTLY FLAT...i caught your 3 draw dip going from G to G#...later you started going down to F# to G#. Is it OK to just go to the G...and work on getting the F# later.... F# sounds better i know.

on the 2 note combinations..ex..3/4..do you dip both at the same time? or start on the 3 and bleed the 4? My tuner shows no notes when i do either so its hard to know what is right.

Thank you... I am now getting those notes to sound on 3 draw..G..F#.. and F.
Steve

David, my inhale vibrato SUCKS. It's very uneven and I run quickly out of breath. What is the best way to practice this to get better at it?

How do you manage the breathing after the shake in the 2nd chorus of Gary's Blues? I sometimes run out of air and there's not enough time to get more to continue.

Hi David,

Do you lean your cheek into the harp when you are playing and when you go above 6 do you find you lean your opposite cheek into the harp.
When I play the low end I find my right cheek is against the harp. When I go to the higher end I find I get better volume and easy to play if I lean the harp against my left cheek.
Is this bad to do and should I be keeping the harp more straight all the time?
PS> The cheek seems to help cover the unused holes.

Thanks 528hemi

As I get started on Blues for Big Nate. you comment on the 1-2-3 draw chord in the opening lick and about dropping the tongue and opening the throat (and I have heard you say this before). That is the first time I have actually heard the difference - WOW!!!!

OK with an open mouth but as soon as I put my tongue back on the harp and try to get that same difference I just can't seem to drop the back of my tongue while the front is on the harp - ????? Another just keep at it and it will eventually come??? Or is it more subtle and just work on keeping the throat open or ..........???

David,

Do you ever play a 2-6 split draw? Draw 3-7 is an octave I undestand the 2-5 draw is not an octave and is used.

Thanks 528hemi

Not sure where to ask this one but.......

Combining the volume controls on the mic and the amp (and I have watched the amp videos re: feedback), I'm not sure about the difference between keeping the amp volume high and turning the mic volume down as opposed to keeping the mic volume high and turning down the amp. Some say the crunch comes from the high (gain?) mic volume and others' say crank the amp for crunch and turn the mic volume down. This is more for home practice or low volume gigs. continue reading...