Ask Instructor David Barrett

Hi David, 

I'm a total novice of less than a week with a harp.

I have some experience playing brass instruments in my youth, tenor horn & trombone, both of which rely on blowing only.

I am beginning to get used to the idea of drawing as well as blowing, but I am finding the speed of transition between the two (playing a triplet - blow, draw, draw - for example) quite difficult with any pace.

Transitioning from blow to draw feels very unnatural at the moment. 

Any tips or exercises you can suggest?

Thanks continue reading...

David, i am on i want you with me, i can play all the notes, but i cannot get through the song without the harmonica clogging up with spittle, which means i cannot complete the song in one go. i have tried to tip the harmonica backwards but i still get the same problem. Is there anything i can do, because it is really holding me back. have other students found this problem or is it that i produce too much splttle. if i can solve this problem my studies would take off. many thanks

David,  I watched the video on brainstruments with great interest.  Was wondering if you play to a mental model and what it is?  Do you think anyone can devleop a model or is it an innate ability of some musicians?

Hello Dave,

I found in my drawers an old marine band harp that a friend of mine had gifted me some 20 years back.

It is marked as Dm on the cober plate.

I sounds like a different tunning. I would guess the m is for minor.

What I fail to get though if it is supposed to be a 1st position or a second position minor.

Can you please give me a hint of how I could find that out.

I am still not that far in my studdies to be able to figure it out by myself.

Thanks in advance!

Hello,

I enjoyed the interviews of you by your wife.  On your video wih her, you indicated that Blues for Mr. B by Gary Smith is one of your favorite harp albums.  I've listened to it a few times since your recommendation and love this album.

Are there any sources for free or purchased trascription tab or music for Gary Smith or other blues masters? 

Thank you!  Doug

Hello David,

I am working on Solo 2, Ex 1.10 and Solo 3, Ex 1.5 , (The Tramp lick ?). Measures 1-4 is all inhale, except for the 4+ on beat 4 of measures 2  and 4. Not much chance to exhale. Any suggestions?

I don't always remember to empty my lungs at the beginning of a long inhale sequence and I need to be more aware of taking in air through my nose. But still, how do I let out excess air when I still have a long way to play before there is a chance to exhale?

Hank H.

So do u have to sign up for the 

Levels of achievement program?

I thought I was, anyways thats what I would like to do.

Merci David j'ai vue que vous aviez reçu mon mail et répondu sa à donc marcher ????????

bonjour David as-tu recoupé mon dernier mail avec le morceau d'improvisation au niveau 5 car je ne sais pas si sa bien ete envoyer ?? merci excusez-moi d'avance !! https://www.bluesharmonica.com/sites/bluesharmonica.com/files/private/Improvising%20Study%201%20-%20Chorus%20Forms.pdf !!

Hi David, I have just begun playing and have made a start on your lessons at the appropriate level. However, I'm presently putting most of my effort into being able to play clean single notes using tongue blocking. I believe I'm making good progress, but with one persistent and annoying problem which is summarised in this extract from an on-line article: 'Another problem may be that you are leaking air in and around the harmonica. If this is your problem you need to practise in front of a mirror and try to locate where the leak is. continue reading...