Ask Instructor David Barrett

I'm looking at level four. There's a lot of different material here. Do you have a recommendation in what order to tackle it?

I can't do my 4  bending properly, I almost get the half tone but I can't reach the right tone in the ninja harp. I have no problem with the other bendings Can you give me any tip to improve it? Thanks

What is a good windows alternative to garage band?

Hi David! Few days ago I started to learn Rice Miller's study song Sonny's Bird. All your indications are really clear and are helping me a lot with the rhythm stuff but when I listen to your masterfully played recording I'm missing some of the nuances. For example some of the "chording" you play sounds way more percussive than the way I play and I'm trying to use the ta-da-da or ta-ka-ka articulations.  Also, in your recording I hear a lot of emphasis on the beats 2 and 4 which gives the effect that you are also playing a drum part. How do you achieve this? Any suggestion? continue reading...

Hi David,

After months of trial and error, I can sound the bends to some degree on  holes 1-4 and 6 although the tone quality is still poor (in my opinion). I'm just wondering what you are expecting from the study song 'Feelin' for the Blues' in terms of bend quallity. I have a tendency to get things as perfect as possible but I know that isn't the aim of this course.

Thanks,

Mark.

Hello David,

I decided to post follow up queries on Forum so that it will benefit other students/musicians as well :) 

80% of my playing includes genres Pop, Country, Contemporary, Worship and 20% Blues. 

Q - In Second Position, what notes or holes in Harmonica do I need to avoid while I accompany a band playing Pop, Country or Contemporary Music. 

A - You suggested me to avoid Flat 7th of the Key (5 and 9 draws)

I did try this and it worked. But I was missing out on the draw notes :). At time I accidently hit the 5 draw…:D

  continue reading...

Hi David,

I'm working on a new head for my instrumental as part of your "Improvising" lesson series. I'm thinking that I will use the AB/AC Chorus Form.

I have a 2-bar 'A' lick that I like, so I repeat it to cover the opening four I chords. I transpose (sequence) the lick to the IV chord for bars 5 and 6, and repeat the 'A' lick on bars 7 and 8.  continue reading...

Dear David,

I went through your gear recommendations for amplyfied playing, thank you for your extensive reviews! I have decided to go with the Fender Champion 20 (for now), and the Harp Blaster HB 52 mic. from Hohner (for longer). 

However, now I have a question about the appropriate cable to use. One end of course is XLR-female and the other end is 1/4 inch jack. But there are different tips like TS, TRS, TRRS. Could you help me understand which is correct and why? I think the TS is correct, but I am not sure, and I certaily could not explain why... continue reading...

Hi David! I just finished and sent my recording of Gary's Blues and I'm learning Jimmy's Reed. It's OK to practice and record that tune using distorted sound? I don't have a proper space to record acoustic and It's a little bit easier to record using my multi FX unit as an interface. Thanks!

Hi David! I have been listening to your music on Spotify and I love 2 of your songs and I want to learn them some day! One is Blow! Blow! Blow! and the other is Here We Go. Both great!. Are those songs already available on your site or books? If not, maybe add them one day ;) Awesome tunes!