Ask Instructor David Barrett

brshoemaker, you asked that I post the intermediate flashcards when I finished them. Here they are... Positions (L5) What key are you and the band playing in if you’re using an F harmonica in 2nd Position? C Reference: Music Theory Study 2 Positions (L5) What key are you and the band playing in if you’re using a G harmonica in 2nd Position? D Reference: Music Theory Study 2 Positions (L5) What key are you and the band playing in if you’re using an A harmonica in 2nd Position? continue reading...

In this chorus, there is a long series of blows. One solution is to break the long G and breathe, but I'd rather sustain it. Is it ok to breath through the nose during the only draw notes B D ?

I have struggled to NOT use my nose during draw notes. Now should I unlearn it when useful?

I could also revert the 3+ before to 2 draws (and draw the pulls, too).

Or take a longer breath at the bar 3, but it feels forced, I'm not sure why.

Are you going to expand the Hohner PentaHarp lessons?

bonjour David dans cette musique Improvisation Study 1 Jam Track - Sib Harp.mp3 il faut que j'improvise dessus et que je trouve moi meme des notes a jouer dessus ont est d'accord et je doit te l'envotyer ?? continue reading...

David,

I'm joining my first jam session. I can play clean tongue blocked single notes, slaps, shakes, dips, etc. but my bends are not consistantly in tune yet.  My improv skills are developing with your instruction and I'm trying to develop my vocabulary of accompianment licks on your accompainment lessons.   continue reading...

I just want to share how I made a huge leap in my bending abilities. :^)

I could not bend 2 notes together at all, as required in the level 4 songs. It always ended with a single bended note, the second hole ending blocked by my tongue.

I had taken the habit of pushing my tongue forward to initiate the bend while keeping the tongue on the harmonica, because keeping that contact was so hard at first. My tongue was quite tense, although I had succeeded in relaxing enough of its back to get some deeper bends (2" and 3"). continue reading...

Hello David,

I probably can't see the forest for the trees here.

I am looking for some "chugging" ideas; as in the "I am a man" lick-sort of thing, where the lick is played and then a "response" is made.

I would like to have a few of these ideas in mind so that I can use them for practicing when I am out and about with my harmonica in my pocket.

I will post this as well in the General Section. I am sure others have some good ideas on this topic. Hows about it?

Hank

Im having a little trouble getting 

Started what steps should i follow

And will the site keep up with where

Ive been Im finding myself bouncing 

Around.

Thanks 

Allan Bellamy 

i just signed up and wanted to get started but only have a G harmonica.

can it still get going?

jessie

I know this will vary with each person, but I thought I would ask for a general answer. How long should we be at each level before progressing if we are playing 30min-1hr a day? When you came up with the LOA program did you have a timeline for level progression? Should I be on Level 1 for 1 month or 3months..? What is the general expectation?